BracketPress BookSchedulePreliminary BracketsFan InformationVisitor InformationLive StreamingThe No. 15 Wayland Baptist men's wrestling team has had a record-breaking season so far, and now they are looking to improve upon that success at this weekend's NAIA Wrestling National Championships in Topeka, Kan.
Coach
Aaron Meister expects his team to continue making strides as they've done all year long.
"They should have the confidence, because it's worked all year," Meister said.
Meister is using the philosophy of "quality over quantity" for their practices leading up to the big weekend.
"Our practices are intense, but short," he said. "We're just fine tuning each individual's strength and problem areas."
A school-record tying nine wrestlers, including many with prior national championship experience, are making the trip to Kansas:
Adelfo Valdez at 125 pounds,
Andrew Porras and
Demarco Speller at 133,
Kane Lovvorn at 157,
Victor Thomas at 157, Roman Correa at 165,
Mich Napier 184,
David Willoughby at 197, and
Markese Christian at 286.
Meister said Porras, Thomas, Napier and Christian are the veterans leading by example on and off the mat.
"We've got good, solid veterans with experience," Meister said. "This is the best team we've had since we started the program."
As a result, Meister expects more from his team once competition begins.
"I want them to believe in themselves, stay focused and wrestle smart," he said.
The Pioneers will make the journey on Wednesday and wrestle beginning at 10 a.m. Friday. The competition concludes Saturday with the championship finals at 7 p.m.
"We're ready to get out there and compete," Meister said.
For the first time, ESPN3 will deliver the 10 championship bouts beginning at 7 p.m. CST on Saturday.
