As the days become shorter and the weather turns colder, the Hinsdale South wrestlers begin to hit the mats in preparation for their 2023-2024 season.

Last season, the Hornets had 6 state bound wrestlers that left it all on the mats at the state competition. 5 of those 6 state level wrestlers are returning to the team, and 3 of them are now seniors heading into their final season. 

The seniors this year are looking forward to the season, preparing themselves using numerous methods. 

“Personally, I did a lot of off-season prep,” senior Toqir Mir said. “I got a lot of time on the mat to get more experience before the season starts.”

Practices start November 6th as South’s wrestlers prepare for their first matches at the Ted Derousse Invite, only 19 days later. The Hornets will officially debut their new team for the first time at the invite. 

The new seniors are ready to lead and are planning to set up the underclassmen for success.

“I am going to lead by example; I am going to show them the intensity that we want our team to be wrestling at even when the other seniors are gone,” said Mir. 

Gearing up for the season includes eating healthy, being physically in shape, and spending time on the mat. Hornet wrestlers have begun this process in anticipation for the start of their season with the end goal of the state meet in mind.