For months mats have been rolled up sweat-less, without the rumbling of giants running and tumbling over them; practicing the sport like the Greek olympians who came before them. When the leaves fall, the mats unroll. The training room opens and a new generation of players led by Coach Robert Gonzalez ready to gear up. Wrestling is back and with only one goal in mind.

“This year is the year,” junior Abraham Sanchez said. “All of our guys who returned are all here with the same mission. Win an individual state title. With that will come the state title.”

For their first competitions of the season Manhattan traveled both to Washburn Rural and Gardner Everton for their first dual and tournament respectively. While the Indians lost to Washburn by a single team point in their debut, they managed to place third with 157.5 total team points in the Gardner Everton Invitational. A competition which hosted teams from Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri.

“We proved to be the dominant team we are,” Sanchez said. “It’s the best we have ever done as a team at that tournament,” He placed fifth in the 126-pound division. Senior, defending state champion and Tennessee-Chattanooga commit Mason Wallace along with Junior Jalen Harper managed to reach finals in the 145 and 152 pound divisions respectively, losing their championship matches to place second.

“We had a lot of guys place,” Harper said. “Even the guys that didn’t place placed. They were scoring and they fought hard fought matches so I think it’s going to further their ability down the road.

After last year’s close encounter with a state title, Manhattan remains in the hunt. The team hasn’t seen a title since 2012, a time removed from this generation of grapplers’ mind. The senior class led by seniors Wallace, Devin Norris, Joe Braun, Eldon Picou and Zephry Killham remain without a state title.

“My goal is to dominate,” Harper said. “Mason has won state and I haven’t. I placed third and second. My goal is to dominate every Kansas kid.”   

Underclassmen also look to this season for victory; to win the last unwinnable prize still rejected to them. “We think if we win every match we are bound to win the whole thing,” Sanchez said. “ I want a state title as bad as every other guy,”

The junior class led by Harper, Sanchez and Reece Wewer, among others, also look for a glorious season, one where they can bury last year’s hatchet, and champion once and for all.

“Our goal is absolutely a state championship,” Harper said

The next Manhattan meet will be a double dual hosted by the Indians Saturday at 10 a.m.