By Travis Smola
The Vicksburg wrestling team is 0-9 to start the year, but coaches are hopeful things will get better as the season goes on. “We try and stay positive with it,” head coach Doug Fuller said. “On the mat, they’re working hard and improving.”
The team has struggled a bit with the frustrations of injuries and academic eligibility issues in the early part of the season. These problems have put the Bulldogs at a disadvantage, leaving them unable to field a full team at times. In spite of the difficulties, Fuller has seen positive attitudes from the team.
On a positive note, Fuller said they’ve been seeing especially strong performances from the younger wrestlers this season. “Many of our freshmen are showing a positive attitude and hard work,” Fuller said. While the Bulldogs have struggled as a team, the next few tournaments are individual competitions. Fuller expects they will be able to get some medals and build some confidence back among team members. “We’re doing well individually,” he said.
In addition, Fuller praised the work of new coaches Eric Boersma and Tim Pratt in their work with the team. Both bring a lot of high-level expertise and collegiate wrestling experience to the table. “It’s been great to see them working with the kids,” Fuller said.
While the start of the season may have been slow, Fuller is optimistic about how things will go as the season progresses. “Down the road, I think we will have a lot of good things to talk about,” he said.