Malaysia Hunt, junior, has seen two versions of the wrestling program.
She said that although all of her former coaches were encouraging, the new coaching staff — Chip Allison, Kristi Rutsch, Tom Dailey, Tom Smith, Kelsey Starr, Ken Matthew, and Jordan Siegel — push the players to be their best.

Hunt said the new coaches focus heavily on conditioning, and instead of starting from the basics like previous years, the coaches immediately began with more complex moves for experienced players.
“We’re preparing our minds physically and mentally,” Hunt said.
Hunt said the coaches this year are involved with the wrestlers.
“Coach Rutsch, she is a person that’s willing to work with us instead of just trying to coach us, she actually wrestles with us,” Hunt said.
At the start of the school year, when Rutsch, head girls wrestling coach, heard there were no wrestling coaches and the program would be shut down without someone to fill the positions, she knew she had to apply.
“I just didn’t want the kids to lose the program. It wasn’t their fault,” Rutsch said.
Rutsch wanted to be a part of her high school wrestling and football team but was turned away because she was a girl.
While in college, Rutsch joined a club rugby team and said she’s best at helping the players with hands-on drills.

Naji Osun, junior, said when he did a move wrong, Coach Rutsch corrected him and showed him how to do the move properly.
“She complimented me on what I was doing right and helped me with what I was doing wrong,” Osun said.
Osun said the new coaches are strict on their wrestlers to make sure they get through drills and do all of their conditioning.
“They see a lot of potential, that’s why they’re so hard on us,” Osun said.
Having an interest in weight lifting and fitness, Kelsey Starr, art teacher, saw an opening for an assistant wrestling coach position and knew it would create an opportunity for her to learn a new skill.

“When they’re teaching the skills to the kids, I’m learning along with them, which has been really fun,” Starr said.
Starr said she also has been a coach for the cross country team and has recognized the sense of community that forms in both sports.
“Everybody’s so close knit, there’s this huge atmosphere to the team, which has been really really exciting,” Starr said. “It definitely makes you stronger mentally as well and gives you the stamina to last longer during times of pain.”