Click Here to Listen to Head Coach Cody Alesch
Cody Alesch is beginning his 7th year coaching the Iowa Lakes Men's Wrestling team. This year, the Lakers will return to the mat with a roster of 27 grapplers to include eight sophomore returners, one redshirt freshman, and 18 incoming first-year students.
"With several returners from last season's team including All-Americans David Hollingsworth (149) and Bunmi Smith (165) the expectations are high for this year's squad." Other key returners this year are Kevin Saravia-Merlos, Anthony Fisher, and Marcus Placide. They are penciled in to compete at the 125, 141, and 184-pound weight classes according to Coach Alesch. This group of sophomores will continue to provide excellent leadership for the incoming freshmen. Coach Alesch is excited about the progress made so far by the team.
"We have gotten stronger in the weight room and the first week of practice reflected the hard work put in during the preseason. Our freshmen have responded well to the leadership from the returners, which has allowed for quick growth. We feel there are a lot of guys capable of stepping up so that anticipation of watching these young men do that is exciting," stated Alesch.
The Lakers have four duals at home this season and go on the road for the rest of their matches. The squad is hopeful to receive a good seed as tournaments approach. Regionals are in Mason City on February 10th, and the national tournament is in Fort Dodge March 1st-2nd.