PLAINS – The Savage Horsemen wrestling team kept up the pace this week as they prepared for their first match of the season.

The wrestling squad, a co-op team between Plains and Hot Springs high schools kept busy during their afternoon workout, which mixed a combination of conditioning and technique throughout the workout.

“We have pretty much been focusing on conditioning but we will start to introduce technique,” Head Coach Kenny Marjerrison said.

The squad began their preseason practice with a conditioning circuit around the wrestling room, in addition to sprints up and down the adjacent stairs to add to the workout.

After a short break the Savage Horsemen were back at it and moving through an Iowa drill centering on takedowns, before transitioning and focusing on scoring points with an escape drill.

The wrestling team’s regular season schedule is fast approaching and Marjerrison is focused on getting his team prepared.

“We only have eight more practices between now and the first meet,” Marjerrison said.

The team’s first taste of regular season competition will be at a tournament in Mineral County.

The Savage Horsemen will travel to Superior High School to take part in the Superior Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Before then the emphasis will remain on getting the team in shape and ensuring the grapplers are ready to go when their first matches begin at their opening tournament.

“The first couple weeks are pretty tough,” Marjerrison said.

The wrestling team will be bolstered this year by the addition of four wrestlers who are new to the program.

According to Marjerrison, the squad doesn’t have any wrestling above the 180-pound weight class.

The coach wasn’t concerned with this and he is confident the team’s roster has filled out nicely with several lightweight grapplers who can score points.

“It’s looking pretty good,” Marjerrison said.

Off of the mat the team will be holding a Christmas Tree Fundraiser on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 at Wildhorse Elementary School in Plains.