Wrestling teams across the state of Iowa started practice this past Monday, and ADM’s squad is working to get acquainted with first-year head coach Justin Schmauss.

Schmauss told us earlier this week that the first few days of practice will be spent working with his wrestlers’ attitudes, because those will be the basis for what the Tigers are able to accomplish on the mat this season.

Schmauss explains how he’ll work with his guys to adopt a great mentality and great confidence.

“(We’ll be) doing some visualization things, some mental preparation through relaxation.  Setting goals–‘how do you want to remember this season when it is all said and done?  If you’re a senior, you’re never going to get it back.  Thinking back down the road, what do you want to most remember?’.”

If his team wants to show true improvement from last year, Schmauss says his guys can ill-afford to “go through the motions” during practices and with their nutrition.  Because to be a great wrestler, it takes more than simply going off your raw ability.

Schmauss says he does have some wrestlers with that raw ability.  Bailey Betazza, Zach Johnston and Logan Wendt all qualified for districts last season, and with the leadership and skill they bring to the table, Schmauss says he’ll be expecting big things from them this season.

Schmauss is quick to point out though, his talent pool runs deeper than just those three wrestlers, and he’s expecting a great year for the whole program as long as his guys buy into the “give it your all” mentality each day.