St. Albert will be more competitive in wrestling this season with 15 grapplers compared to only eight a year ago. Surprisingly, the Falcon squad won three duals last year, despite giving up nearly half its matches by forfeit. The Falcons are expected to fill nine of 14 weight classes.

Fourth year coach Jake Driver and assistant coach Tom Sweeney have a simple goal for each wrestler to improve.  "Get better." said Driver. "It doesn't matter if we have a full roster or not.  If you get better you have a chance to accomplish more."

Sophomore Sean McNitt returns as a state qualifier and will stay at 103. Area fans will see McNitt continue his rival with Lewis Central's Joey Jerkovich who also remains at 103.  “Sean had to eat four to five meals a day to reach 97 pounds last year," said Driver. 'This year he bulked up some and weighed in at 105 so he'll have to cut two pounds."

Driver likes what he sees in junior Zach Masker.  "I'm expecting a break-out year for him at 140 or 145," said Driver. "He's six-foot-one and can reach around and grab you where a wrestler wouldn't think it is possible plus he really likes to be on the mat."

Nine of the Falcon wrestlers will miss the start of wrestling due to the lengthened schedule of the football season. "We are pretty excited about getting junior Steve Nielsen back in the wrestling room," said Driver. "Last year, he broke his femur in football on Halloween and we lost him for the season." Nielsen will compete at 189 pounds.

For the Falcons, it's a numbers game. "Weight loss is no longer an excuse for participation," said Driver. "We promote getting physically stronger and wrestling at our natural weight."

~Dwane McFerrin~ Staff Writer - Daily Nonpareil - 11.19.06