Lawrence High’s wrestling team is going through a youth movement this year and probably can go down two paths this season. Either the young wrestlers step up and adjust quickly to varsity level to give the Lions success right away, or it takes a little while for them to get going, but they gain experience for the future.


The Lions will enter the year with 17 freshmen and nine newcomers that are above the freshmen level. With such a young team, there’s expected to be some growing pains throughout the season.


But they still have star power with Alan Clothier, the defending state champion at 182 pounds. He went 30-1 last season and nearly earned All-American status at a postseason event in Virginia. Tucker Wilson and Cy Burghart both earned trips to the state tournament last year, while Jhon Jacob made it two years ago.


Those four wrestlers have done a good job, from what I’ve seen in practice, of helping the newcomers with techniques. The biggest thing for the newcomers and freshmen is to pick up that varsity experience, and any success along with it will be a bonus.


I shot video of them during a practice on Monday, as they worked on a variety of techniques, but the main point was staying low and driving through their opponent. The video can be seen below:


http://www2.ljworld.com/videos/2014/dec/05/36020/
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If you’ve missed any previous winter sports blog posts, including videos of their practices, you can find them below:


Lawrence High girls basketball: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/dividing_line/2014/nov/26/a-new-era-for-lawrence-high-girls-basket/


Free State boys swimming: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/dividing_line/2014/nov/27/free-state-boys-swimming/


Free State wrestling: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/dividing_line/2014/nov/28/plenty-of-youth-and-enthusiasm-for-free-/


Lawrence High boys basketball: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/dividing_line/2014/nov/30/big-expectations-and-talent-for-lawrence/


Free State girls basketball: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/dividing_line/2014/dec/1/free-state-girls-basketball-reloads-for-/


Free State boys basketball: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/dividing_line/2014/dec/2/new-faces-set-to-lead-free-state-boys-ba/


Lawrence High boys swimming: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/dividing_line/2014/dec/4/lawrence-high-boys-swim-team-picks-up-wh/
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As always, feel free to comment, email me, or find me on Twitter @nightengalejr.