Wrestling team looking for more in Year 4

MONTGOMERY, Ala.  – The Huntingdon wrestling team is beginning its fourth season of the NCAA era and the Hawks are continuing to make strides.

During the 2016-17 season, the Hawks won five dual matches during the season and four individual matches in the Central Regional Tournament. With 18 returning wrestlers and 10 newcomers, Huntingdon is looking for more success this season.

The team captains for this season are seniors DeAndre Beck, Deon Maxwell and Jesse Rowlen and junior Cody Dixon. The Hawks open the season on Saturday in Waleska, Ga., against Reinhardt University.

Head Coach Craig Duncan on the start of the season: "The attitude of all our wrestlers has been great so far. Everyone put in hard work in the preseason with (Director of Strength and Conditioning Charlie) Goodyear and it has carried over to the mat with the start of practice. Our attitude seems to be more business like, and our expectations are high this year."

Duncan on the expectations for this season: "The expectations are set high this year, not just by me, but by all of the wrestlers. We have some talented guys on this team and we can all see the change.  Each day we want to be better than the day before, and so far, that has been the case. As long as we continue to work with that attitude, we have the opportunity to see some really good things happen."

Duncan on the leadership of his returning wrestlers: "We have a good group of experienced wrestlers returning and a talented group of newcomers. I see a big improvement in each returner this year and those experienced guys have taken the newcomers under their wings. This team has really come together to bond like a family."