Ready or not, the Southeast Valley Wrestling team opened the 2023-2024 campaign Thursday night, November 30th at home against Manson NW, Coon Rapids-Bayard, and Panorama. The Jags line up had some key components missing due to sickness, grades, and injuries that curtailed previous experienced wrestlers from participating this year. The Jags gave up six open weight classes making it hard to win a dual by points, so the wrestlers focused on individual improvement each time they stepped on the mat. In the opening dual, the Cougars of Manson beat the Jags 54-24, in the second dual, the Crusaders of Coon Rapids won a close dual 33-30, and in the final dual of the night, the Panthers of Panorama defeated the Jags 60-12. 

   "We are a really young, inexperienced team with very limited Varsity wrestling experience and any overall wrestling experience in general. They will take their lumps this year, hopefully they grow and learn from their experiences on the mat. Our three upperclassmen, seniors Kaden Holder and Grant Smith, and Junior Caleb Will will need to lead the way as they are the only kids who have some varsity experience. "

144 lbs. Kaden Holder, 138 lbs. Caleb Will, 150 lbs. Oliver Riehl, 157 lbs. Grant Smith, and 165 Kyle Eastman finished 2-1; 175 lbs. Evan Frana finished 2-0; 126 lbs.Colin Johnson and 132 lbs. Nevein Larson finished 1-2. In JV wrestling, 126 lbs Rafe Kilstrom, 138 lbs Rafe Kilstrom, and 144 lbs. Jayden Johnson picked a win and 132 lbs. Kyeo Augustine and 144 lbs Cory Fawcett competed for the Jags. 

   "For the most part our kids battled as hard as they could. They made positioning mistakes quite a bit but overall the coaching staff was pleased with their effort.