Seniors Joshua Hall, Desmond Rios and Seth Hendrickson are the upperclassmen for a young Rams wrestling team. Photo by William Lange

The Maricopa High School wrestling team will enter the 2015-16 season with a new coaching staff.

Five members of the Rams wrestling team reached the Arizona Interscholastic Association Division II State Wrestling Tournament last season, but only senior Kenny Gay was able to place in the top six.

This year, the Rams will return quite a few members of the 2014-15 team, including state-qualifiers Marques Jacobs and Dakota Halverson, but they will have plenty of inexperience as well. However, the new coaching staff expects them to learn the sport and compete well.

“I just want to teach the kids what I know,” MHS wrestling head coach Erick Fierro said. “Hopefully they work hard, use what they learn and are successful. We have quite a few kids returning, but me being a new coach, alongside a whole new coaching staff (featuring Carlos Villa and Patrick Thompson as well), they are all new to us.”

Fierro will look to his returning wrestlers to step up and lead the team.

“I see some leadership qualities in many of the athletes.” Fierro said. “At this point they are all pushing each other to better themselves. I have very high hopes for this group of kids.”

The Rams started their season at home on Nov. 24, when they hosted Hamilton High School and Poston Butte High School. They lost to Poston Butte 50-28 and to Hamilton 48-24.

Remaining Schedule:

New head wrestling coach Erick Fierro. Photo by William Lange
New head wrestling coach Erick Fierro. Photo by William Lange

Dec. 2     4 p.m.     (A)     Shadow Mtn. High School
Dec. 4-5     TBA     (A)     Red Mountain High School (Red Mtn. Invitational)
Dec. 9     4 p.m.    (A)     Sunnyslope High School
Dec. 11     Noon     (A)     Perry High School  (Puma Duals)
Dec. 12     8 a.m.     (A)     Perry High School  (Puma Duals)
Jan. 7     6 p. m.    (A)     Mesquite High School
Jan. 12     5 p.m.    (A)     Seton High School
Jan. 15-16     TBA     (A)     Coolidge High School (Coolidge Invitational)
Jan. 20     5 p.m.     (H)     Maricopa High School
Jan. 22-23     TBA     (A)     Bourgade Catholic High School (Bourgade Invitational)
Jan. 27     6 p.m.     (A)     Perry High School
Feb. 5     TBA     (A)     Sectionals
Feb. 6     TBA     (A)     Sectionals
Feb. 11-12    TBA     (A)     State at Prescott

The 2015-16 Maricopa High School wrestling team. Photo by William Lange
The 2015-16 Maricopa High School wrestling team. Photo by William Lange