JW North High School Boys Wrestling Season Preview

As the new season approaches, the JW North High School wrestling team is ready to hit the mat with their sights set on success. To get a preview of what to expect from the team this year, we spoke with Head Coach Harlan Kistler about the upcoming season. When asked about the top returning players from last season, Coach Kistler had high praise for his athletes. "Our top returning athlete would be Tyler Hiraoka at 120 pounds," he stated. "Tyler is a no-nonsense, hardworking, highly motivated individual that should have a fantastic season." Hiraoka is a returning CIF qualifier and has been putting in hard work in the off-season, making him a wrestler to watch this season. In addition to Hiraoka, Coach Kistler also highlighted Soren Harris-Pham at 126 pounds, who is a returning Master's Qualifier and took 5th in CIF last year. Mason Wilson, a freshman, has been beating Master's Qualifiers in preseason tournaments and is a strong contender to make an immediate impact on the team. Lukas Knox at 150 pounds is another wrestler to watch as he finished top 12 in CIF last season and recently placed in the top 8 at the tough Freakshow tournament in Las Vegas. On the girls' side, Jasmin Figueroa, a Master's Qualifier last season, is expected to have a standout season at 100 pounds. Lisa Diaz, who was top 12 in CIF last season, is also expected to make a strong showing for the team at 110 pounds. Coach Kistler also mentioned Vanessa Archila at 115 pounds, who has shown huge improvements over the off-season. When it comes to team leadership, Coach Kistler looks for athletes who not only excel on the mat but also display important qualities off the mat. "As a staff, we aren't necessarily looking for the greatest wrestlers to be captains," he shared. "We are looking for kids who stay extra after practice, have a servant leadership mindset, and set a good example for the team." Coby Merrill, Soren Harris-Pham, Lukas Knox, Tyler Hiraoka, Jasmin Figueroa, and Lisa Diaz are all wrestlers vying for the captain roles this season.