The Elizabeth Cardinal wrestling team is hitting the mats with
experience and the push for a successful post-season.
As a somewhat young team made up of mostly juniors, the first
two years of competition are finally paying off. Head Coach Gary
Martin is excited to watch his wrestlers’ hard work move in the
right direction.
“We are getting stronger and our experience is starting to show
on the mat,” he said. “I don’t have to yell as much.”
With two returning state qualifiers, Clayton and Jacob Garza,
Martin is hoping to see at least five or six of his wrestlers make
it to the state tournament this year. The only thing against the
Cardinals this year is the lack of a heavy weight wrestler and a
215-pound wrestler.
“Because we have some holes, we are working on being a better
tournament team,” Martin said.
Martin said the team is working to improve their situational
wrestling. The Cardinals are practicing wrestling in positions they
do not necessarily want to be in during a real match.
“We are making pretty good strides in that area,” he said. “I
feel pretty good about the team’s progress.”
The 2009-2010 season is tough one, with competitors including a
5A team from Fort Collins and a 5A Northglenn team. But Martin
believes a harder regular season will only benefit the wrestlers
during the regional and state tournaments.
“You have to wrestle the toughest to beat the toughest,” he
said. “I’m always a believer in that.”
