Team looks to prove there is strength in numbers.

The Okoboji/HMS girls wrestling room will be packed this season. So says second-year Coach Todd Gonnerman, who notes that the coaching staff is a combined effort with the boys program and Middle School Girls Coach Bre Small with everybody chipping in.
“This year’s team strength is numbers,” remarked Gonnerman. “We are looking at a squad of 25 which is very large. We will be able to fill 12 or 13 of the 14 weight classes.”
The squad also boasts experience. “We graduated only 1 senior last year,” Gonnerman pointed out. “Returning are Dulce Ortega and Brooke Stockdale who were both All-Conference award winners. The coach also cited returnees Brilee Fauth, Kim Bergesen, Alyana Hesse, Laylah Kalsow and Jennesa Gates. “All of these girls saw extensive varsity action last year,” said Gonnerman. “Team leadership is huge in any sport and this group brings that.”
There are also a number of wrestlers competing who are looking to get that valuable varsity experience and help the team. “We have some returning athletes that wrestled some JV or are returning from injuries last year like Abby Netsch, Annie Clements, Avery Wintz, Kadynce College, and Miley Appeldorn,” said Gonnerman. “I am super excited to have nine freshman athletes this year. Most come with some good MS experience and we will look for them to fill some gaps and I am extremely confident that they will be excellent in that duty.”
In addition to Appeldorn, who is a sophomore, the other HMS athletes on the team are sophomores Madi Lauer and Mahkenzie Mattingly and freshmen Addily Benz and Natalie Dagel.
Gonnerman is looking for all of this to translate into victories. “My hope is to improve in individual winning percentage,” said the coach. “We are a very young team and last year’s freshmen come back with experience that will help them immensely.”
When asked to identify the top teams in the Siouxland Conference, Gonnerman commented that, “Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley and West Lyon are always tough opponents.” He reminded that, “Last year we tied for second place in the conference in Dual Record and at the Conference Tournament. With a healthy squad I see us right back in the mix for the Conference race.”
In talking about a successful season, the coach returned to the number of students out for wrestling. “Participation is success to me as a coach,” shared Gonnerman. “I can’t teach wanting to do something. Our team success rests in the numbers. We have nine freshmen and 10 sophomores on the team. Last year I said I would define success in who returns next year, the numbers say it all.”

Okoboji/HMS Girls Wrestling Schedule

Thursday, Dec. 5, Triangular (GTRA and Spencer), at Graettinger, 6:00
Saturday, Dec. 7, Okoboji Invitational, at Milford, 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 10, Double Dual (Sioux Center and Le Mars), at Sioux Center, 6:00
Saturday, Dec. 14, Spencer Tournament, 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19, Double Dual (Central Lyon/GLR and West Lyon), at Rock Rapids, 6:00
Saturday, Jan. 4, Orab Invitational, at Sheldon, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 9, Double Dual (East Sac County and Pocahontas Area), at Milford, 5:00
Tuesday, Jan. 14, Siouxland Conference Tournament, at Rock Rapids, 5:00
Thursday, Jan. 16, Sheldon/South O’Brien, Sibley-Ocheyedan and Spirit Lake), at Milford, 6:00
Monday, Jan. 20, East Sac County Tournament, at Sac City, 5:30
Thursday, Jan. 23, Double Dual (MOC-FV, BH/RV), at Orange City, 6:00
Saturday, Jan. 25, SBL Tournament, at Sioux City (Long Lines Center), 10:00 a.m.