Strength in numbers: NWC wrestling looks to bounce back with larger numbers, homegrown talent

Posted 7/16/15

With just 17 wrestlers to start the 2014-15 campaign a season ago, the Trappers were limited on what they could do inside the NWC wrestling room, and the team’s lack of ability to push and challenge itself during practices due to those low numbers …

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Strength in numbers: NWC wrestling looks to bounce back with larger numbers, homegrown talent

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During Northwest College wrestling’s offseason in March, longtime head coach Jim Zeigler vowed to rework his recruiting strategies.

One look at his incoming 2015-16 roster shows Zeigler wasn’t bluffing.

With just 17 wrestlers to start the 2014-15 campaign a season ago, the Trappers were limited on what they could do inside the NWC wrestling room, and the team’s lack of ability to push and challenge itself during practices due to those low numbers showed throughout the season. NWC struggled during meets and tournaments, and eventually, Zeigler’s 21-year streak of placing his team in the top 10 of the NJCAA national tournament came to an end.

That disappointing finish had Zeigler geared up for a rebuild.

“It’s a time for us to — for me — to re-evaluate how we’re doing some things, particularly how we’re recruiting, and to put our focus into next season,” the coach said in March.

At the American Frontier Wrestling Camp on Tuesday at NWC’s Cabre Gym, that focus was in clear view as 12 new recruits shared the mat with dozens of young grapplers. Zeigler’s incoming team is stocked with in-state talent, including returning sophomore Powell High School product Matt Widdicombe and incoming freshman and last season’s Class 3A 132-pound state runner-up Colton Parham. Widdicombe and Parham will be two of seven Wyoming talents wearing NWC red and white this year. The infusion of homegrown talent is a vital step in Zeigler’s rebuilding plans.

“We struggled (last year), we lacked depth ... we had a good crew but it was a small crew, and quite frankly, it wasn’t as successful as we’ve been in the past on the mat,” Zeigler said. “When that happens, I think coaches tend to rethink things, and I’m building again. The idea is not to go chase after the top-notch recruits to try and win another national championship right away ... it’s to build that foundation back and that foundation starts with Wyoming kids.”

After Widdicombe and Parham, the other Wyoming wrestlers joining NWC this season are: Torrington state champion Justin Polkowske, Riverton state champion Reese Prosser, Evanston state champion William Kishpaugh, Lander state champion Andrew Von Rein and Sheridan state runner-up Cody Delk.

“We’re getting back to our roots ... a good, solid core crew,” Zeigler said. “They’re guys that are familiar with the area, guys that know how to work, they’re good students, they’re solid kids ... the kind of kids you’d want to hire in your company.”

Widdicombe was on the mat with several of the new recruits Tuesday and couldn’t hold back his excitement.

“I think our team is going to be a lot better. Not just quality wise, but in size — we’re going to have a lot more guys,” Widdicombe said. “And they look good. They’re rounded out all around, they’re mentally tough and they’re just looking good.

“A lot of the Wyoming kids coming in, it’ll be good because we already know somewhat of who we are, how our style is, and it’ll give us good competition in the wrestling room, which we didn’t have last year.”

Competition inside the NWC practice room has been a key Zeigler has constantly stressed, and that could be a rediscovered edge for NWC this season as Zeigler anticipates a roster of nearly 30 athletes.

“Having depth is so important. It puts you in a position where you have to compete and work for your job every single day,” Zeigler said. “When you’ve got that kind of depth, it gives me more opportunity as a coach to rest guys, to change lineups ... and also less tolerance of laziness. If guys are not doing their job, I’ve got another guy that will.”

That’s a realization Polkowske, last season’s Class 3A 152-pound prep state champion, welcomes.

“The numbers are great. That’s one big thing that we lacked in Torrington,” Polkowske said. “We didn’t have the numbers or the size. It’s all new to me coming to a big school and having a full lineup. To be able to actually fight for my position, whereas before it was just given to me, that’s going to be awesome.”

That hunger to fight for a spot and improve is something Zeigler said he saw among all of his incoming recruits during the camp — an attribute he hopes can fuel the impending rebuild.

“Their willingness to be coached ... they want to learn,” Zeigler said of his observations. “These guys are really hungry for knowledge and wrestling experience. They’re excited to be a part of Northwest College wrestling tradition and be a part of this program. They can’t wait to get rolling.

“Anytime guys come in with a great attitude and excitement, and want to be in this job, you’re going to do good things with them.”

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