Despite having just 10 eligible athletes on the team, the Highland Huskies wrestling squad is finding success in quality not quantity. Highland participated in nine duals and two tournaments during the 2014 portion of their season.

Despite only winning one dual as a team, several Huskies wrestlers are putting up stellar individual performances. Highland’s top wrestlers are in two of their lowest weight classes in sophomores Drew and Bryce West. Drew West has posted a record of 15-0 between weight classes 113 and 120 pounds, while Bryce West has posted a 17-0 mark between weight classes 120 and 126.

Highland wrestling coach Clint Jones says the West brothers have a great chance of returning to the state meet this Feburary along with senior Zach Kleopfer is at 160 pounds, “He has definitely seen the ropes and has improved in all areas of wrestling.” Jones said, “With (Kleopfer) there are still some areas we are trying to fine tune, but he certainly has the capabilities to go as far as he wants to go.”

Kleopher ended the first half of his final season with 16 individual wins. The Highland Huskies wrestling team competes this Saturday in the Eddyville-Blakesburg tournament. Jones says the event features teams from Southeast Iowa and some teams from the central part of the state. “Sometimes when you see those different opponents from different areas of the state, you might see them at the state tournament.” Jones said, “Whether you win or lose, you at least have mental notes as to what to expect (if you meet at state).”

Some of the team’s Highland is scheduled to compete against includes athletes from Des Moines East, Iowa Valley, Mount Pleasant, Newton, North Mahaska, Waukee, and West Branch Community Schools. The tourament begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Eddyville-Blakesburg High School.