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Wrestlers have impact with individual attention
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The hot sun found its way through the gymnasium windows and onto the wrestling mat where members of the Dawson County High School wrestling team were busy preparing for a season that begins five months from now.

But there is no time to waste, especially if the Tigers are going to make an impact in Area 7-AAA this year.

The process has begun during the month of June with about 15 wrestlers participating in the workouts.

The practices are a chance for the team members to get individual attention, said varsity head coach Arron Haynes.

That type of one-on-one attention is difficult when the entire team (consisting of about 30 wrestlers) is together during the season.

As the team worked out last week, returning varsity wrestler Zach Guy offered examples and advice to some of the less-experienced team members.

The upcoming junior took over the varsity 145-pound roster position last season.

At the Area Tournament he placed fifth, missing a trip to the State Sectionals by just one place, leaving him with the determination to qualify for State this season.

Guy said he feels that he can offer help to some of the freshmen on the team, such as with helping them improve their stances, thereby getting them ready to be more competitive when they get to the high school level.

High school has a more aggressive type of competition, he said.

The moves that worked in middle school wont work in high school, said Guy, you must actually learn correct moves.

Upcoming senior Danny Maciolek agreed that being aggressive with your strategy is a major part of success on the mat.

You have to know how to step up and how to work your opponents, said Maciolek, who is in his third season with the team.

Although he has already met some of his goals, Maciolek said he hopes to practice every day this season and achieve at least seven pins.

At last weeks practice, Maciolek and the other team members were learning how to throwa type of move that requires wrestlers to tuck their arms around their opponent, lift and turn, and land their opponents shoulders on the mat.

Its more of an athletic type move, and something the team has been asking to try.

While not everyone on the roster is able to be at the summer practices, most of the others are keeping in shape thanks to their participation in other sports such as baseball and football.

Haynes said the team plans another good week of practice before the mandatory GHSA dead week around July 4th.