As it gets closer to the end of the wrestling season, the Eureka College wrestling team is preparing for the upcoming regional tournament. Stakes are high at this tournament, as only the top two wrestlers from each weight class will qualify for the national tournament. Eureka’s wrestling team has had a promising first season leaving many Red Devils fans excited for tournament performance. Of course, the fans are excited, but how does the team feel? 

First, the Eureka wrestling coach, Coach Eric Biehl, was asked about how he felt going into the regional tournament. Biehl replied, “I’m happy with where we are at, I believe that everyone going can shock many people and put the rest of the teams on notice”. We went on to ask Coach Biehl if he had any expectations for the tournament, and he replied “I expect the tournament to be tough of course, but what I expect the most is that my wrestlers compete. Of course, I want them to win, but I want them to compete to the best of their ability and remember that we are here to have fun”. Lastly, Coach Biehl was asked what he has taken away from this season. “Well I can say that this team works hard. It doesn’t matter how hard I push them, they’ll always show up ready to work, and I love that”. 

Andrew Sims, the 165-pounder for the Red Devils, a senior on the wrestling team, and a veteran of the sport, filled in a few details about the tournament as well. “The regional tournament always has us nervous towards the end of the season, but we all know if we go out there and do what we know we’ll be alright in the end.” When asked about the goals he set for himself Sims replied: “Of course, it’s to win nationals, that’s almost everyone’s goal I think, or at least it should be”. Lastly, for Sims, he was asked about his feelings about being a leader on the team. “Well it makes me feel good, I made it past this tournament last year and it makes me happy that the other guys are learning and also making me better as well.” 

Lastly, there were a few questions for the 184-pounder, Thomas Culp, a former high school state champ and Lincoln College national qualifier. When asked about how he felt about the tournament he stated “I mean yeah it’s a big tournament, but no nerves are going into this tournament. At least not yet. I think Coach Biehl has prepared us well this year”. When Culp was asked what his goals were for the team he replied “My goal for the team is for us to do well at this tournament, have a couple if not all of us qualify for the national tournament. That is the big goal”. When asked about his leadership role on the team he replied “I look at all of us as leaders in some ways because we all make everyone better”. 

The regional tournament will take place on Feb. 24th and 25th, and the location is still to be announced. Sims and Culp hope to lead their team through two days of good wrestling against some of the toughest teams in the nation. Returning national qualifiers and national champions will be at this tournament, so the Red Devils will face tough competition. Eureka College is excited to see how they do.