By Aimable Rutayisire, Sports Editor
The Jets wrestling season started in November at the Falcon Open in Wichita. Since then, the team has become nationally ranked: The National Wrestling Coaches Association released its Division ll Wrestling rankings in late January, and Newman was listed as No. 25.
The Jets had two wrestlers ranked in their weight classes. Senior Jevin Foust was ranked No. 8, while Senior Caleb Wunsch was ranked No. 9. In the current Open Mat rankings, Foust is ranked No. 11 in the 133 pound division, and Wunsch was ranked No. 16 in the 285-pound division.
The program is setting a new standard this season, said head coach Mitch Arnold, and the team has a clear focus on the postseason. Making nationals is a goal the team shares.
Foust and Wunsch have emerged as cornerstones of the team, and both have used their work ethic to maximize their potential this year, Arnold said.
Wunsch said he worked hard to get where he is.
“Relying on my training and knowing where I come from, it makes me take great pride when I step out on the mat,” he said.
Foust said that his individual goal is to win nationals.
“I think I can accomplish that this year,” he said. “If I go in and win it or place, we would be top 10 at nationals just with that alone.”
Arnold credits the team’s consistency to its success so far this year. Meanwhile, Foust said that his success has come from balancing his life, which includes a job, school and fatherhood. He said that his biggest strength this year is his sense of calm.
“I don’t get nervous anymore before games, and I used to,” he said. “I believe in the work I put in.”
Work ethic and ambitious goals have been traits that Newman’s wrestling team has embodied this year. Wunsch said, adding that he has high hopes for his final year
“I want good things for the program,” he said. “That's my goal. I want to bring another championship and be an All-American.”
Both Foust and Wunsch expressed gratitude for the coaching staff, which has challenged the wrestlers with an intensity that fuels their competitiveness, they said.
“He’s got an intimidating aura about him,” Wunsch said. “He's really intense. He gets after it.”
The Jets Conference tournament takes place March 13-15 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Athletics
