Every day after the school day the wrestling team practices in the middle school cafeteria under the new leadership of Mr. Cole Eged, eleventh grade history teacher and new wrestling coach. They practice in the cafeteria because the middle school basketball team and winter cheer squad use the gym for practice and games.

“I wouldn’t say it’s hard but it certainly is busy. Some days are better, some are worse. It’s nice working in the same district where you coach. I think that will have a bunch of benefits in the long run,” Mr. Eged said. “I 100% think that our team has improved since the beginning of the season. We came into the year with the majority of the team being seventh graders and/or first year wrestlers and the improvements and success speak to the level where we want this junior high team to be long term. I think we could still work on competition readiness and working within the system.”

The Freedom Junior High Wrestling team has 13 wrestlers and four team captains:, Logan Taylor, Carter Dambach, Nolan Andrews, and Colten Bailey. They have faced many schools and have been to three tournaments. The team consists of some wrestlers from Freedom, New Brighton, and Rochester.

“I think we are improving a lot. We are getting more focused and locked in. We aren’t very good at taking shots and having good defense.” Logan Taylor, eighth grade team captain, said. “We need to work on showing up to practice and making weight. My favorite thing is getting wins and being with my teammates.” 

“We are practicing good and we are improving and winning more. We need to get better at some skills and shooting and not standing straight up. Being more respectful to our teammates and others. My favorite thing is getting wins and being with my teammates,” Carter Dambach, seventh grade team captain, said.