The Norwalk boys wrestling team enters the 2024-2025 season with an experienced roster and high expectations. Head coach Jake Brown describes a “business as usual” feel in preseason practices as the Warriors prepare for Thursday’s season-opening home dual vs. Dallas Center-Grimes.

Norwalk’s varsity team will mix a group of returning state qualifiers with some hungry newcomers that are eager to make their mark. The Warriors graduated an undefeated state champion in Tyler Harper at 113 pounds and a two-time state qualifier in Tate Turner at 138. However, eight wrestlers in the room have qualified for state at least once during their career, and several are ready to chase state medals in February.

Coach Brown tells KNIA Sports that the Warriors have held a team bowling outing the last two years on the day of the State Dual Tournament, something they hope not to be doing when February 8 rolls around later this season. Brown adds that the team also has high aspirations for the traditional state tournament February 19-22.

“They would like to be wrestling at State Duals. That’s for sure a big goal,” he said. “And you always try to look to be a top 10 team at the state tournament. We have potential… we’ll see. I feel good about where we’re at.”

Seniors Kolton Borcherding-Johnson and Dominic Tigner will be two Warrior wrestlers to watch this season. Borcherding-Johnson qualified for state at 215 pounds as a sophomore but had a promising junior season cut short due to shoulder surgery. He begins his senior year ranked high at 285 and aiming for a state title. Tigner is a two-time state qualifier that will look to build on last year’s 35-win season and make some noise in the 157-pound bracket.

Additional Norwalk wrestlers with state meet experience include seniors Harrison Tripp, Tyler Stanford, Kadan Borcherding-Johnson, Liam McLaughlin and Aiden Moret, as well as sophomore Victor Esparza. Asaiah Martinez, Madox Ward and Kale Wadle are among another group of Warriors expected to have breakout seasons. Coach Brown says that it is fun to have a team with multiple quality wrestlers at many weights, adding that the roster battles make the team stronger over the course of the season.