The Iowa Lakes Community College Wrestling team will open their season Saturday, November 2.  The Lakers will have several new faces in the lineup this year after graduating many of last year's top performers. 

Returners with experience include Mitchell Williamson and Tykwan Joyner.  Heavyweight Williamson battled teammate and eventual All-American Andre Bissainthe.  He suffered from injuries late in the season last year but is looking to come back strong this year.  Joyner wrestled at 133 lbs last year and competed well but failed to qualify for nationals.  Head Coach Cody Alesch is looking from solid leadership from several other returners as well who are hungry to step into starting roles this year. 

There are many newcomers who are also looking to have an impact this season, which Alesch hopes will make the team more competitive.  The freshmen group will need to grow and mature quickly as collegiate student-athletes in order to have an immediate impact. 

Alesch said, "We want to win national championships; we try to instill into them from the moment they arrive that is what we are after and it starts now.  There are no excuses and they know our expectations as a coaching staff."

The student-athletes have been working hard this preseason.  They have gotten stronger in the weight room and early practices have reflected the hard work put in during the preseason.  The freshmen have responded well to the leadership of 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 really exciting," commented Alesch.

The Lakers wrestle Saturday, November 2 at the RCTC Open in Rochester, MN.  They will host four home duals this season, starting with Iowa Central on Wednesday, November 13th.  Second semester they travel to the NEO duals before hosting NIACC on Tuesday, January 14th.  Iowa Lakes will host the regional tournament at the Laker Gym in Estherville on Sunday, February 16th.  National Championships will be March 6th and 7th, held in Council Bluffs at the MIdAmerican Center for the 5th straight year. 

PHOTO: Photo of the 19-20 attached.

MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Wrestling Coach Cody Alesch at (712) 362-7930 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-7928.