By Terry Douglass
terry.douglass@theindependent.com

However, Blake has been thrilled to find that the biggest surprise this season has been a pleasant one.

"I've never really had to push these guys so they would get after it in practice or anything like that," Blake said. "The work ethic of these four guys has just blown my mind.

"It's kind of a unique position to be in as a coach where you don't have to push real hard to get them excited and get them geared up for the meets or anything like that."

The Red Hornets entered their first season with just four wrestlers. The roster includes juniors Matt Ellis (119 pounds) and Kyle Dibbern (215), who both wrestled for Grand Island Central Catholic last season, and sophomores Jacob Schwan (125) and Brad Einspahr (130).

As for the motivational aspect, Dibbern said there's just a lot to feel energized about.

"It's just the excitement of getting a new program started and basically setting records for the first time," Dibbern said. "We're trying to set a good example and set the bar for future reference. We want to get this program off to a good start and one day be a powerhouse in the area."

Ellis said he thinks the Red Hornets' ability to be self-motivating comes from being a part of such a small, close-knit team.

No one wants to fall behind, he said.

"It's just a matter of a guy will step it up and then everyone else has to step it up to keep up with them," Ellis said. "The intensity keeps rising as the season goes on."

Despite not having a large amount of experience Einspahr had never wrestled prior to this season Heartland Lutheran has performed well this year, bringing home several medals from tournaments. Remarkably, the Red Hornets actually posted a fourth-place team finish in the Lindsay Holy Family/Humphrey St. Francis Invitational, despite filling just four of the 14 weight classes.

"I never expected to be anywhere near bringing home hardware as a team this year, but we were only two spots out," Blake said. "I was pretty pleased with that.

"The guys understood that we're the little guy now, just by sheer numbers, but they wanted to come out and make some waves."

Not that the Red Hornets haven't faced some challenges. The main obstacle the team has had to overcome is not having a bona fide wrestling room to practice in. Instead, the team works out in a portable building located by the school's football field.

"It's really small and since it was used as an old classroom, it has still got cupboards and an old sink in there," Dibbern said. "We've run into a couple things, but I'm surprised we haven't torn it down yet."

Beyond facilities, the obvious goal for Blake is to grow the program's numbers.

"We're hoping to talk to some kids and hopefully they've seen us on the mat and want to join our program," Blake said. "The guys that are out have represented us with a lot of class and a hard work ethic. As for what we want to base this program on, they've done a very good job."

Ellis said he thinks he and his teammates can do even more good for the program with a strong showing in the Class D, District 1 meet, which runs Friday and Saturday at Tri County High School in DeWitt.

"If we get some people qualified for state our first year around, hopefully we're going to get our name out there a little bit," Ellis said.

"Hopefully then we'll get some more people to come out next year."

The top four finishers at each district meet qualify for next week's three-day state tournament in Omaha. Blake said he thinks the Red Hornets have a realistic chance to get Heartland Lutheran represented at the Qwest Center.

"What has to happen first and foremost is good performance," Blake said. "Without a good performance, you can't get the victories. I'd really like to see three out of four, if not four out of four qualify, and I think we've got a really good shot of doing that."

Not that it will be easy.

"Our district is pretty solid," Blake said. "We've seen almost everybody in our district already, so we kind of know what we're getting into, but you just never know.

"Everybody brings it up to a whole new notch at districts. Kids can come out and surprise you."