The 2015-2016 wrestling season is winding down. The team finished their season with a duel meet record of 5-11.  Now it is time for the grapplers to go for the hardware at the District Tournament.

“It was a tough season. We knew we wouldn’t win many matches due to the number of athletes, but that didn’t stop us from going hard every match,” said Jamal Hicks.

“These are some dedicated guys. They stuck with it and held each other accountable. They need to crank up the intensity. I know we can take some kids to regionals. They may surprise themselves,” preached assistant coach and 2005 state champion Terry Tate.

The tournament will begin at the Altoona Fieldhouse at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 19. The second round, quarterfinals and three rounds of consolations will occur on Friday. The fourth round of consolations will begin on Saturday at 10:30 with semifinals at noon. The championship finals, third and fifth-place bouts will occur at the same time beginning at 6 p.m.

The top five finishers in each weight class will qualify for the Southwest Regional Tournament.

Of the 11 wrestlers on the varsity squad, eight will wrestle at the tournament.  They are: 106 Michael Cherry(10-8), 120 Devon Brown(24-8), 126 Jamal Hicks(10-14), 132 Aaron Lewis (9-9), 145 Sage Dixon(17-13), 150 Lance Loose(7-8), 170 Phoenix Farias(12-15), and 220 Stevie Coyler(20-10).

To see the complete brackets, click HERE.

The Eagle Eye caught up with all of them as they prepared for the district tournament:

Mikey Cherry, 106, 11th Seed

What is your thoughts on how the season went this year?

Cherry- It was a little broken up, but I feel I did pretty good.

How well do you think you are going to do at Districts?

Cherry- I’m just excited it’s finally here.

Which match this year would you pick to have been your favorite match?

Cherry- All of them.

What do you think this team had that really drove you to do your best?

Cherry- Helped me to do my best.

What will you be improving the most during the next couple practice?

Cherry- Finishing my shots.

Devon Brown, 120, 4th Seed

What is your thoughts on how the season went this year?

Brown- Pretty good.

How well do you think you are going to do at Districts?

Brown- Not to sure. You never really know.

Which match this year would you pick to have been your favorite match?

Brown- Hunter Campell at the Sheetz Tournament (State Qualifier).

What do you think this team had that really drove you to do your best?

Brown- Drilling everyday.

What will you be improving the most during the next couple practice?

Brown- Tweaking all my little things.

Jamal Hicks, 126, 12th Seed

What is your thoughts on how the season went this year?

Hicks- I started of with a rocky start, but hen I found my groove and got back to the old ways.

How well do you think you are going to do at Districts?

Hicks- I’m gonna wrestle like I’m the best one there. Hopefully that will drive me to the top.

Which match this year would you pick to have been your favorite match?

Hicks- Facing Max Murin (2015 State Champion). I may have lost, but knowing I can last with him pushes me to beat him if we face at Districts.

What do you think this team had that really drove you to do your best?

Hicks- The fact that we have fun, on and off the mat. We treat each other like brothers and that’s the greatest feeling.

What will you be improving the most during the next couple practice?

Hicks- My defense, not being scared to take shots, and learning how to hold on to a lead without stalling.

Aaron Lewis, 138, 13th Seed

What is your thoughts on how the season went this year?

Lewis- It was a pretty hard season.

How well do you think you are going to do at Districts?

Lewis- It’s going to be a challenge but I’m excited for my final run at the gold.

Which match this year would you pick to have been your favorite match?

Lewis- Bellwood by far

What do you think this team had that really drove you to do your best?

Lewis- Be my family, but no one will drive me as much as my mommy.

What will you be improving the most during the next couple practice?

Lewis- Defense. That’s my main priority right now.

Sage Dixon, 145, 9th Seed

What is your thoughts on how the season went this year?

Dixon- It went okay. I think it could have been a little bit better though.

How well do you think you are going to do at Districts?

Dixon- Not to sure. Just going to do my best.

Which match this year would you pick to have been your favorite match?

Dixon- Consolation match at West Branch

What do you think this team had that really drove you to do your best?

Dixon- My teammates encouraging me.

What will you be improving the most during the next couple practice?

Dixon- Need to get my shots down.

Lance Loose, 152, 12th Seed

What is your thoughts on how the season went this year?

Loose- I think the season went pretty good this year. Won some and lost some.

How well do you think you are going to do at Districts?

Loose- I’m hoping for at least a 2-2 record, maybe even better.

Which match this year would you pick to have been your favorite match?

Loose- Definitely the Bellwood match. It was one of my last home matches of my career and went out going as hard as I could.

What do you think this team had that really drove you to do your best?

Loose- Being able to joke around, making it fun and having great teammates made me drive myself.

What will you be improving the most during the next couple practice?

Loose- Conditioning for sure!

Phoenix Farias, 170, 14th Seed

What is your thoughts on how the season went this year?

Farias- I wish I would have done a little better.

How well do you think you are going to do at Districts?

Farias- Just going to focus on doing my best.

Which match this year would you pick to have been your favorite match?

Farias- Come on now. I don’t pick favorites. All of them had something special.

What do you think this team had that really drove you to do your best?

Farias- It’s my senior year and they all expect greatness out of me.

What will you be improving the most during the next couple practice?

Farias- I need to get in the best shape as possible.

Stevie Coyler, 220, 6th Seed

What is your thoughts on how the season went this year?

Coyler- The season didn’t go fully as expected but I’m not doing too bad.

How well do you think you are going to do at Districts?

Coyler- I think I’ll make it back to Regionals.

Which match this year would you pick to have been your favorite match?

Coyler- My favorite match was probably beating Bald Eagle.

What do you think this team had that really drove you to do your best?

Coyler- The fun we had helped us build each other as a family.

What will you be improving the most during the next couple practice?

Coyler-  I’ll be improving on some scrambling situations over the next few practices.