Head Coach Ryan Prom’s Big Lake Hornet wrestling team kicked off their 2021 season with competition Thursday in Princeton against Albany. Fortunately, wrestling is one of the few sports this winter season not required to wear masks for practices or competitions. But there are still challenges for the coaching staff.

“Once we start practicing, athletes can remove the facemasks,” said Prom. “We are limited to 25 athletes in the room and they have to be in pods. This is a major change and it will not allow athletes to switch partners during practice.”

Big Lake’s “starting lineup” for varsity is determined by wrestle-offs and coaches decisions. All the athletes from all levels can particiapte to earn a spot in each weight class.

Prom has two of his captains from last year returning in Jayden Mclearen (12th grade) and Christian Noble (11th grade). Overall, he expects to have 25 athletes in grades 9-12 to instruct, prepare, coach and train.

Justin Nelson and Matt Nelson return as assistant coaches with Prom. 

“They bring a wealth of wrestling knowledge to the practice room,” said Prom. “Having them is an asset to the wrestlers and the program.”

Scheduling games has been a nightmare for the MSHSL and activities directors at every school and playoffs and tournaments beyond the regular season are always in question as long as COVID-19 is still around, but Prom and his student/athletes are taking things one day at a time.

“The team is just grateful that we are going to be able to have a season,” he said. “Our goals really do not change from year to year. We want to have fun, work hard and to improve throughout the season and be peaking as the postseason starts, so we can qualify as many wrestlers to the state tournament as possible.” 

Prom says he has adopted the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association motto for his team,  Adapt and Adjust. 

“I think we will need patience and flexibility as we navigate these uncharted waters,” he said.