Reagan’s wrestling season has officially started. With 24 members, the number of wrestlers for junior varsity and varsity is about the same as last year. However, the team is experiencing some changes, like turning the focus to technique and improving the aggressiveness of the overall team to be successful in the sport.

One way for the wrestlers to show aggressiveness is to take the first shot, or move against the opponent, because whoever gets the first takedown will likely set the tone for the rest of the remaining match. Teaching this technique gives the wrestlers a better chance at winning during a match.

“Matches are extremely intense because they are six minutes of one-on-one competition,” said wrestling coach Josh Cutshaw. “It’s just you and another dude in the center of the mat, unlike team sports where a player can lean on their teammates.”

In most cases, home matches give the home team an advantage because of the sense of familiarity since the team has already practiced in the gym.

“When the team has home events, we get to prepare and start warming up before the competition arrives,” said sophomore Devon Pulliam.

This year, however, the wrestling team only has three home events.

How will this affect change Raider wrestlers? Cutshaw said there shouldn’t be any disadvantages of hosting fewer matches at Reagan because of the work and amount of energy the team is showing. All this work being put into strengthening the wrestling team will hopefully show throughout the year, and make up for any disadvantages of having less home events.

“Without home matches, the coaches might not be able to give you feedback on your performance as easily because most travel back to their houses with different rides than the bus,” said sophomore Bennett Myers, who is new to the team this year.

Reagan wrestling will have two conference home matches, while a third will be a tournament featuring 15 different schools across the county. Last year, there were eight participating schools, and in 2015, six teams wrestled. Hosting tournaments continues to help the wrestling program grow, which is one of Cutshaw’s goals for the sport.

“When I began coaching it was my goal to grow the program, and part of that endeavor is hosting this tournament for the third year at Reagan,” Cutshaw said.

Having two matches at Reagan does not seem to be affecting the team’s performance and training. Instead, time is spent preparing daily. Other than having matches, wrestling practices are every day after school, doing “j-robs,” which are high intensity, full-body workouts. They can be intense to the extent of carrying other players or rolling in mud.

“Practices are fun but extremely tough,” said junior Blake Lyerly, who has been a part of Reagan wrestling since freshman year.

Not only are the players shaping up for meets this year physically, but they are also learning skills they can practice throughout life after wrestling. These virtues of work ethic, determination, and integrity help the teammates learn how to overall be good people and work well together.

The teammates have built friendships and a brotherly bond that will continue to grow no matter the outcome of matches. Cutshaw said the guys make coaching fun and it’s nice to see how much they grow and learn over time. He even refers to them as “the gladiators of Reagan.”

Even after high school, friendships developed from wrestling continue. Members who have graduated still visit the team on occasion to give tips and pointers to the wrestlers.

“My favorite thing about wrestling is that the team’s a family and always has each other’s back,” said wrestler and junior Rhett Steelman.

Although there will only be three home events, the team hosted a scrimmage against East Forsyth on Nov. 14. This helps prepare the wrestlers for matches, without having the scrimmage qualify in conference.

The Raiders’ first home match will take place on Thursday, Dec. 21 in the auxiliary gym. Admission to come watch the match is $6.