Competition is in full swing for a youthful Holt wrestling squad hoping to maintain the school’s strong tradition of excellence in the sport. After graduating several key seniors last year the team is taking this season one match at a time.

The Indians are building experience while also looking for solid performances from state qualifiers Clayton Ream (sophomore) and Brett Beckmann (senior).

Holt has a 2-2 record in at dual meets this season with wins over Francis Howell North and Troy. The Indians took seventh place at the 16-team Ron Sauer Invitational in early December at Fox.

A weaker than hoped for showing at the Toshiba-KCI tournament in Kansas City exposed the squad’s youthfulness but also offered an opportunity to grow through adversity.

“This team is a very young and needs to get a lot of experience," said Holt coach Jason Moore. "We’re working hard and moving in the right direction.” 

Highlights from the team’s KCI competition — which features 32 of the top teams in the country — included a pair of sixth place finishes by freshman Lawton Benna (103-pound weight class) and senior Jacob Henderson (215). Both wrestlers earned a pair of pin victories and contributed a good number of team points at the tournament on their way to respectable finishes.

At 125 pounds, Ream has earned victories in tough matches against Eureka and Seckman this season. As a freshman Ream took third at 103 last season and figures to be a contender again this year in the state tournament.

Beckman took 10th  place at the KCI tournament in the difficult 140-pound weight class. The senior also counts pin victories this season against opponents from Triad and Edwardsville.

Holt took second place at the 10-team Ritenour tournament in mid-December. Eric Erdman (119) led the way at that competition with a second place finish.

With back-to-back Class 3 championships in 2007 and 2008 casting a shadow over the program Moore is careful to stress that his team is young but focused on growth.

“Every time that we wrestle we get more experience and the boys are improving,” said Moore.

The Indians are suffering from the ongoing absence of senior Tim Younger, who finished in sixth place at state last year at 112.

“Tim has battled an ankle sprain all year and has not been able to compete to date. He will definitely be a nice addition to the team, when he gets healthy,” added Moore.

The next couple of weeks will continue to test the Indians as they compete in the GAC Tournament at neighboring school Timberland. Holt will see a tough Francis Howell Central among other local squads.

Following the GAC tournament Holt will take on CBC and Whitfield on Jan. 13 and then will participate in the MICDS invitational Jan. 21-22.