Captain Woodburn sees potential in younger athletes, wants to build up the program

By Gabe Morrison ’17
THE ROUNDUP

With their new season beginning Nov. 3, the wrestling team aims to have multiple state placers and will develop the team’s younger talent.

Head coach Mr. Jose Leyba ’94 said that some key contributors to this year’s team will be captain Keenan Woodburn ’15, Anthony Brady ’16 and Valentine Hernandez ’16 who all have the potential to place or be top six in their weight class at state.

Mr. Leyba also said this year’s junior class is talented.

“Our junior class is strong. We’ve got Josh Beram ’16, Christian Sulit ’16,” Mr. Leyba said. “They are hard workers and they are tough.”

Woodburn said that he was impressed with all of the freshman already practicing.

Woodburn specifically said Max Turisi ’18 and Luke Jacobs ’18 are freshman with potential.

“As a team our main goal right now is building up our program,” Woodburn said. “Try to make a strong team this year… I think that a team goal should probably be to work as hard as we possibly can to better the younger kids and improve the program and work hard throughout the season so the younger guys see the work ethic needed to get to that next level.”

The team currently practices in Loyola Hall, but is in discussion about a new facility for the future.

Woodburn said he is excited for a new practice space.

“We’re going to have a lot more room,” Woodburn said. “We’re going to have a way bigger venue, maybe some weightlifting stuff… I’m really excited about it.”

The team’s first match is at Pinnacle against Mountain Ridge and Desert Mountain at 4 p.m.