News Photo by Cassandra VanHorn An Alpena wrestler overpowers an Alcona wrestler on Wednesday. The Wildcat’s first match of the season was in Alcona on Wednesday where they defeated Alcona but lost to Oscoda.

ALPENA — The Alpena High School wrestling program is poised for an exciting season, with a focus on developing young talent and building on recent successes. Head coach Matt Kowalski said he is enthusiastic about the team’s potential, especially given its mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces.

“We have a lot of young wrestlers, so we’re concentrating on getting core techniques down, creating advantageous positions, and giving 100% on attacks and defense,” Kowalski explained.

With several standout athletes already emerging, fans can look forward to seeing who will rise to the challenge.

Lyrik Ricketts and Brody Oliver have stepped up as team leaders, while freshman Haley Stenz is proving to be a promising addition, Kowalski said.

Youth is both a challenge and a strength for this year’s team.

“The biggest challenge is also one of our strengths — most of our team are freshmen or sophomores,” Kowalski said. “We have several freshmen who’ve gained experience through our growing youth program, but we also have a significant number of first-year wrestlers.”

Despite this inexperience, the program’s rapid improvement over the past few years gives the team confidence heading into the season.

The coaching philosophy emphasizes consistent improvement and a focus on scoring points in every situation.

“We’ve made an emphasis on constant improvement and developing each wrestler into the best version of themselves on the mat and beyond,” Kowalski said.

While the ultimate goal is to win, the team’s success is also measured by growth and commitment to hard work, both during the season and in the offseason.

As the season progresses, the Wildcats aim to build on their foundation and elevate their skill levels. With a strong emphasis on growth, teamwork, and perseverance, Alpena wrestling is ready to take on the competition.

Their first match was Wednesday, and their next competition is on Saturday in Birch Run.