For Highland Wrestling, the time is now.  Under Head Coach Ted Sierer, the team won the region title in both 2009 and 2010, but recent domination has come from region foe Clearfield.  The Falcons from up north have held the region title three years in a row, and are looking for a fourth.  But Highland has other plans.

Senior Ethan Harris, one of four captains on the team and a respected leader, is optimistic about the depth and strength of the lineup this season.

“In the past it’s been a little bit hard to get the entire team at a high level of experience and talent,” Harris said.  “I feel like this year we have a pretty good chance at having a solid lineup throughout the weight classes.”

Along with Harris, seniors Michael Rojas and Chase Davis, and junior Nathan Rolling have all earned captain honors.  Big performances and leadership from these captains are vital if Highland wants to take down Clearfield.

“I expect big things out of those guys,” junior Alexis Flores said.  “I’m going to do my best to push them hard so they can kick some butt out on those mats.”

But success comes not just from the performance standpoint, but from strategy as well.  Coach Sierer, Coach Robinson, and Coach Tate teach the techniques and mindsets necessary to win.

“They help us out in doing those different moves,” Harris said.  “They show us really technical things; where to place your hands, where to apply force, stuff like that.”

Performance and strategy are only the top layer.  Wrestling is much deeper than what you can observe.  Former Olympic wrestler and legendary Coach Dan Gable describes the mental aspect as having to ‘get yourself in a different world’.

“You have to have a kind of attitude to not get pinned,” Harris said.  “To not be on your back.”

From there, working hard and believing in yourself can lead to success.

“I don’t believe that a wrestler is determined by his record, it’s what kind of heart he has,” Flores said.  “If he happens to win it’s because he gave it his all…You have to fight until the last whistle blows.”

Headlining matches against East Dec. 19, Bountiful Jan. 21, and others in between lead up to the opportunity to knock off Clearfield at the Region Six tournament Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.  Individual losses to Falcon wrestlers have kept Harris and others from the state tournament in the past.  Don’t be surprised if the tables are turned in 2014-2015, and the Rams find themselves achieving greatness in the state tournament.