ItâÂÂs fasting time.

Or, as itâÂÂs known around the Frank household, wrestling season.

Free State High senior Kyle Frank is no different than most wrestlers. HeâÂÂs trying to drop 20 pounds to 171 so he can compete in the Firebirdsâ opener this Saturday at the Ark City Invitational.

And, like most wrestlers, Frank admits itâÂÂs just part of the sport.

âÂÂItâÂÂs a lot of running,â he said. âÂÂI run three, four times a day. I run in the morning, I run during weights, I run after I get home.âÂÂ

As for holiday meals, heâÂÂll try to lose a few extra pounds so he can indulge on turkey and mashed potatoes.

And, if things work out, heâÂÂll feast on opponents.

Frank is among a talented group of Firebirds who are trying to establish themselves among the stateâÂÂs best. Seniors Matt Somers (119 pounds), Nick McGovern (189), Grant Steinbach (215) and Brett Shoffner (152) are all possible Class 6A state medalists. Somers, third at 119 last year and ranked fifth heading into the season by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Assn., and Frank, third at 171 and ranked fourth, the defending Sunflower League champ, are already at that point. McGovern, ranked fourth, is the only other ranked Firebird.

Other guys to watch for include Adam Berg (130), Josh Sanderson (145), sophomore heavyweight Ray Walker and junior Jeremy Bustamante, who could push Steinbach and Walker for varsity matches.

ThatâÂÂs if the Firebirds emerge from a brutal schedule.

âÂÂTalk about a tough schedule,â FSHS coach Darrell Andrew said. âÂÂThis is the toughest weâÂÂve ever had – though you can blame me.âÂÂ

Start with the Ark City Invitational. The host team is a perennial 5A power, Wichita West won the 2001 6A state title, Maize, two Oklahoma schools and a team from Arlington, Texas, make the tournament an eye-opener.

From there, two more tournaments before Christmas should be warm-ups for three two-day tournaments in January. The Derby Invite, the Basehor-Linwood Invite and the Blue Valley Northwest Invite could be three of the nastiest tournaments all season. ThatâÂÂs along with the Sunflower League and Junction City Invite.

Ouch.

âÂÂTwo things could happen,â Andrew said. âÂÂBy the time we get through it we could have kids beat up and hurt, which we donâÂÂt want to happen, or by the time state rolls around itâÂÂs going to help them immensely.âÂÂ

Lawrence High

With a new coach, an inexperienced roster and a couple of returning state qualifiers, Lawrence High expects to improve during the year âÂÂ:quot; but expect a couple of wrestlers to be standouts all season, starting with SaturdayâÂÂs opener at the Shawnee Mission East Invitational.

If coach Mark Dulgarian can elicit strong performances from his novices, the Lions could be in good shape.

âÂÂWeâÂÂre sparse down on the middle, and we need people up on the top,â Dulgarian said. âÂÂBut if I can get people out, keep people happy and have the numbers up, thatâÂÂs the name of the game.âÂÂ

Senior heavyweight Kenny Poeverlein, who was fifth at the Class 6A state meet last year, enters the season ranked fourth by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Assn.

Senior Chris Hultine, who won the regional title last year at 145 pounds, will probably wrestle at 152 to start the season. HeâÂÂll likely work his way back down to 145.

And senior Aaron Madill, the Sunflower League champ at 160 pounds last year, enters this season ranked sixth. HeâÂÂs already jelled with new coach Dulgarian, which could result in Madill becoming one of the stateâÂÂs best.

Dulgarian, who coached in Fort Scott the past 10 years, mostly teaches throws. Why? A throw can usually put a wrestler on their back – which leads to more pins and more wins.

Of course, that applies to the guys that are still learning. With a guy like Madill, Dulgarian isnâÂÂt altering anything.

âÂÂAaron Madill is a shooter, and IâÂÂm not going to change that. But IâÂÂm a thrower. I like to use throws to get pins,â Dulgarian said. âÂÂIâÂÂll show him a little wrinkle or two, but IâÂÂm not going to change his strength.âÂÂ

Madill, whoâÂÂs been working with Dulgarian since September, has grown fond of the new coach and the added work heâÂÂs put in.

âÂÂI like him a lot,â he said. âÂÂSome of the things heâÂÂs taught me have already begun to pay off.âÂÂ

ThatâÂÂs about all Dulgarian needs to hear. After coaching at Fort Scott middle school the last five years, he has sunk his teeth into the Lionsâ varsity program. Call it a wrestlerâÂÂs love for the sport.

âÂÂI canâÂÂt speak for them, but itâÂÂs exciting to me primarily because IâÂÂm coaching varsity wrestling again,â he said.