Bluejay wrestling season ‘going well’

It might look like the Waseca High School wrestling team is slogging through the season.

In this case looks, according to WHS head coach Jake Janike, can be deceiving.

"The season has been going well," said Janike.

Janike's comments came after the Bluejays dropped five dual meets last week, 45-36 to NRHEG and 46-35 to Mankato East Friday, and 42-24 to Cannon Falls, 55-12 to Kenyon-Wanamingo and 40-26 to Norfhfield.

The main reason for all the losses? Injuries.

"We have been dealing with many injuries this season," said Janike. "We have not had the full lineup like I had hoped for. The wrestlers have all overcome that, wrestled their hardest and done a great job. I could not ask for a better group of athletes."

The Bluejays' best record belongs to senior captain Payton Garza, 23-4. He finished fourth in the section tournament last year. Senior captain Christian Rodriguez, 21-5, was also fourth in the section last year. Freshman Matthew Veroeven, 23-9, placed sixth in section last year.

Senior captain Oliver O'Brien, recently back from a football injury, is currently 4-3. Senior captain J.D. Delgado is 13-8 and junior Carter Ellis is 12-20.

The Bluejays did not have a state tournament qualifier last season, but Rodriguez was a state entrant as a freshman, O'Brien, Garza and Delgado made it to state in 2020-21.

The Bluejays hosted a Thursday triangular with Lake City and Worthington. The section team tournament starts Feb. 16 with the high seed hosting.