Gearing up to start the second half of the season, the Grand Valley State University men’s wrestling club is trying to stay strong as they quickly approach big matches and stiff competition.

After losing five of their nine All-Americans from last season, proving to be one of the leading factors in their 3-3 record as a team this season.

The Lakers are putting in daily practices week in and week out in hopes of improvement before this weekends match at Alma College and the National Duals at the end of the month.

“We need a little bit more time as a team to sharpen up,” said junior Carl Worthy. “Our team is being lead by freshman and sophomores, so for the upperclassmen our practices are more of a review but for the youngsters it all about the transition from high school to college wrestling.

“As long as we stay healthy we will have a good chance against our competition.”

After a few scheduling conflicts last semester, the Lakers gained a few wrestlers this semester from previous seasons but still haven’t been able to fill the missing spots from the graduated seniors.

“With the next few meets coming up we aren’t sure what to expect from such young team,” said sophomore Andy Brown. “Last year we finished third at the National Dual meet. This weekend we will see if we have a chance to repeat or even better that.”

Leading the way, sophomore Matt Morrill has been the Lakers top team point leader with 68.40 total individual points, a 10-4 personal record and four pins so far this season.

“The young ones have been doing a great job stepping up this year,” Worthy said. “These next few weekends will be a big, big challenge for all of us. This is definitely the hardest season we have seen having such a young team.”

Last weekend, the Lakers took down Charles M. Mott Community College in a dual meet, winning with a team score of 43-15. They are hoping they can use the recent win to take down a few more competitors in future big meets.

“For the last 11 years, we have placed in the top four at nationals so that will always be our goal to match even better that,” said senior Nate Hall, GVSU assistant coach. “As long as we keep our guys healthy we should have no problem being right there at the top again.”

The Lakers will get back on the mat this weekend on Saturday at the Alma College Open at Alma College.

“We may be young but we show potential,” Hall said.

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