Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
The Menominee Indian High School senior class is leaving its mark on the wrestling program.
Head coach Kirk Bahr is eager to see what the four seniors can put on the mat in their final season.
Antonio Mahkimetas, Lenny Warrington, Kyle Komanekin and Leander Moon have been acting as role models for the rest of the team.
“Those four are the ones I’m expecting big things from, but we are going to have surprises from a couple of other kids,” Bahr said.
The seniors are not only leading on the mat, they also are making sure the rest of the team stays eligible through grade checks, which makes Bahr’s job a little easier.
“They are getting on our younger guys to get their grades up,” Bahr said. “I don’t have to watch these kids like a hawk in the hallways because my seniors are doing it.”
The Eagles, who hope to fill close to a full lineup for the majority of the season, have about a half dozen new wrestlers this season.
Mahkimetas (145 pounds) and Moon (220 pounds) qualified for the WIAA Division 3 Sectional Meet, with Mahkimetas winning his opening match at the sectional before taking fifth.
The experienced wrestlers are taking the time to work with the new athletes during technique sessions, while getting time against each other during the live wrestling sessions.
“We’ll do good as a team, but there are a couple of young guys, a few inexperienced people,” Komanekin said.
Menominee Indian opens its season Thursday at home against Bonduel. The Eagles fell to the Bears 42-36 in the season-opening dual last season.
“I want to see us beat Bonduel,” Bahr said. “We came so close last year, and I know they have some new guys, and they lost some big names.”
“I want to beat Bonduel more than I want to beat any other team. That’s my opinion. I think my seniors are that same level,” Bahr continued. “We are losing a lot of good wrestlers this year. We’ll see how it goes.
“If we go out there and wrestle hard and fill the weight classes I think we need filled, win or lose, I’ll be OK with it.”