Red Bulls ready to hit the mat

ABOVE: Front row left to right: Brock Jagodzinske, Kate Kolbe, Nileah Keiros , Torrey Paplow, Brock Stauffer, Leandro Fortin, Adam Denson, Hector Gomes, Second row: Ryan Szafryk, Luis Martin, Bo Kolbe, Caleb Chambers, Pierce Rohman, Berent Kosbab, Ivan Martin, Maddex Faber, Andrew Haugen, Cooper Kolander, Back Row: Angel Baragas,  Andre Ashing, Andres Rodas, Ty Kolbe, David Miller, Mathew Martin, Timothy Parsons, Aaron Becker, Tyler Heckman, Chase Burr, Austin Newcome. Not Pictured Caden Lang.

FAIRMONT – The Martin County Red Bulls wrestling team is back on the mats training for the upcoming 2024-25 wrestling season.

After going 12-3 during the 2022-23 season to 6-9 last season, the Red Bulls are aiming to get back in the mix of the section’s top teams again.

“We bring back a few seniors who were full-time varsity guys last year,” said Red Bulls head coach Adam Williamson. “We have about a dozen seniors on the squad, so we’re looking to them to kind of step into some of those varsity spots and compete for the team.”

Returning for the Red Bulls are 133-pound sophomore Pierce Rohman, 145-pound junior Torrey Paplow, 152-pound senior Berent Kosbab, 172-pound senior Ty Kolbe.

Paplow, Rohman, and Kosbab all have 30 wins under their belt from last year, with Paplow and Rohman both qualifying for the state individual wrestling tournament last season. Sophomore Maddex Faber is also coming in with 60 career wins to help bolster the squad even further.

The competition for the team is already under way with a lot of wrestlers vying for a varsity slot.

“We have a lot of young guys that are going to have to win the spot first,” said Williamson. “Then see if they’re ready to get out there for the varsity team.”

The team is focusing on personal development this season showing the importance of taking the lessons learned on the mat and applying them to the rest of life.

“This year, this year we’re talking just as much about life skills as we are wrestling skills,” said Williamson. “You know, being present for your team, being on time, come with a good attitude, having positive body language, and just more or less being ready to work. Those kinds of things lead to success in everything in life, in the classroom, with jobs, and, with their activities. So we’re kind of emphasizing that at the start of this season, and along with trying to get in shape and be ready for our first competitions coming up.”

After a tough season last year, the goal for the squad is to return to form and put up a winning record this season.

“We’re used to kind of being on the winning side of things,” said Williamson. “So it was kind of a learning and growing year last year, and now we’re looking to put together a winning season, hopefully. And that starts with the kids’ preparation and what we’re doing in the practice room, which is trying to push harder and do a better job with our physical, and mental being, and being better out on the mat and in general.”

With the amount of returning experience, the Red Bulls are confident in how the team is looking for the first meet of the year. It’s a matter of getting the varsity lineup set.

The Red Bulls open their season on Thursday, Dec. 5, at Maple River High School.