SYDNEY — The National Trail varsity wrestling team jump-started its season by picking up two wins to open its season in a meet at Lehman Catholic High School on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

The Blazers defeated Lehman Catholic, 24-21, and defeated Arcanum 30-15, with two victories in the team’s first match of the season.

Junior Josh Cook helped lead the team, picking up two wins in the 152 pound weight class.

“Josh looked strong in the season debut,” head coach Mike Eyler said. “He controlled the tone of the match from the very beginning each time.”

Heavyweight Dylan Hager also went 2-0 at the meet. He won by forfeit in the first round and defeated Johnson of Arcanum by pinfall in his second match.

“Dylan has come a long way from last year,” Eyler said of the junior. “He’s got a year’s worth of experience under his belt and now understands what it means to be a varsity wrestler.”

Hager was down four points when he recorded the pin to win the match in the final 20 seconds.

Robert Nave went 1-1 in the 138 pound weight class, defeating Ham of Lehman Catholic, 12-6, and losing to Burns of Arcanum.

Eyler was happy with his junior’s effort. “Robert wrestled well,” he said. “As a junior he knows what varsity wrestling is about and just needs to continue working hard in the practice room.”

Sophomore Donnie Pegg went 1-1 in the 182 pound division, falling to Long of Lehman Catholic but defeating Walters from Arcanum by pin in the second match.

Freshman Jesse Biser wrestled at the 160 pound weight class, a class higher than normal according to Eyler. Biser picked up a win in his second match when he pinned Baker from Arcanum.

“He’s got a lot of potential,” Eyler said. “I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of him this season.”

“Overall, we wrestled well,” Eyler said after the match. “It’s early in the season and we’re still dropping to our optimal weight classes.”

“It’s important for the younger wrestlers to utilize this early success as a motivating force,” the Blazer coach continued. “We’ve got a lot to improve on, but as a season opener, this was a great performance.”