Brendan McFadden | Banner Bryce Benlian, sophomore engineering major, practices with his teammate to prepare for the upcoming wrestling season.
The wrestling team at California Baptist University has just started their pre-season training regimen, preparing for the tough competition ahead of them with eight-hour weeks of practices.
Lennie Zalesky, head wrestling coach, said that the eight-hour weeks benefit the team through technique training and conditioning.
“We use this time to either weight lift or condition,” Zalesky said. “We really focus on getting our technique down.”
These eight-hour weeks will soon come to an end as the season officially begins Oct. 10,
putting this new season in full swing. Zalesky said he is expecting
a great year.
“We’ve got an experienced, very talented group of guys,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing them improve throughout this year. I think we’re going to be a very tough team to beat.”
On the talented roster is Jacob Waste, junior criminal justice major and wrestler. Waste, a Division II All-American, said his expectations are high for the team, as well as himself.
“We have a lot of new kids coming in, but we have a lot of returners as well,” Waste said. “As a team this year, I definitely think we can be in the top ten 10 top five or even win it. Our guys weren’t satisfied with last year. This year, they all want to win.”
Last season proved to be successful for Waste as he defeated several Division I opponents and brought home several honors along the way. This season he said his goal remains the same.
“I don’t think there’s anything less that I would expect than to win a national title,” Waste said. “That’s the only goal on my mind.”
The wrestling team will host its second “Take it Outside” event, an outdoor wrestling match Nov. 14 against
California State University, Bakersfield. Waste said the match will be different this year from last year’s match.
“Last year, we didn’t wrestle with a full lineup,” he said. “I think we’ll be able to beat them this year. It’ll be a close duel; they’re a very respectable team. I think we should win a lot more than we did last year.”
