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Special contribution to WSN by UW-Stevens Point communications student Karli Norton

Kaukauna wrestling 2014-2015 season officially kicked off its’ season a couple weeks ago with its first scrimmage at Wrightstown.

The 2014 Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee of the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association Jeff Matczak is starting off the season by getting the boys back in shape and learning the basic fundamentals of the sport.

“We are focusing on drilling fundamentals, making sure positions are correct and that languages are correct,” said Coach Matczak. “There are certain fundamentals that everyone needs, but kids are all going to have their own styles that are unique from others.”

This year Kaukauna has 10 returning seniors that make up the small 30 member team. Tres Leon, Zach Shukoski, Robert Lee, Trent Trull, Bailey VanHandel, Chance Eiting, Zach Haen, Tanner VandenHeuvel, Dominick Nushart, and Nick Marquardt all return for their final year with Kaukauna wrestling. Robert Lee was a two time state champion last year while Tres Leon took two time place at state. Brother Ty Lee of Robert Lee made it to the state finals last year as a sophomore and will also be returning to the team this year as a junior.

Although the team has some key players, its small compared to what it’s usually used to. In past years, Kaukauna sees around 40 members on the wrestling team; this year with only 30 on the team, they will be thin in depth. Preventing injuries is key to keeping the small team active and healthy enough to play.

“This year we don’t have as many people so we will have to be better with injuries. We will have to take care of them quick so we don’t lose people. Last year we had a lot of kids and this year we don’t have as many. Our depth is really going to be an issue this year,” states Matczak.

Matczak firmly believes that each new season is a fresh start, just because they did what they did last year doesn’t mean anything for the new year. The team starts all over again and they don’t expect anything going into the new season.

Last year the Kaukauna Ghosts took second place at their Cheesehead Invitational. The Cheesehead is a two day high school invitational hosted by Kaukauna. It dates back to 1999 and brings in the top teams around the country. The 2015 teams come from all across the nation: Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Nevada.

The Cheesehead serves as a great middle point to the season for the team. If the team walks away with a trophy, it’s a great accomplishment. Twenty-nine teams show to compete in the Cheesehead and being able to place out of twenty-nine different teams across the nation is an honor.

“We never set a team goal for the Cheesehead,” said Coach Matczak. New year, new team. Matczak doesn’t expect anything more than once and that’s what keeps the team alive. Fresh starts and fresh ideas.