Lynnville-Sully Wrestling: Soderblom is leader of the pack
By BEN FROTSCHER NDN Sports Writer
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| Lynnville-Sully sophomore Kyle Soderblom (front) is the lone returning state qualifier for the Hawks coming into the 2008-09 season, and Soderblom said he hopes to lead his team to a regional dual appearance this year.
Ben Frotscher/Daily News |
Kyle Soderblom will serve as an example for the Lynnville-Sully wrestling team this season as the Hawks prepare for the Dec. 3 season-opener at English Valleys.
Soderblom qualified for the state wrestling meet last year as just a freshman. At 39-11, he made it to the state tournament by winning wrestleback matches at both the sectional and district meets.
This year, the goals have been elevated.
“I want to get back to state and actually place this year,” said the sophomore, who went 1-2 in Des Moines at 160 pounds. “I lifted a lot more and tried to get to camps over the summer.”
And for ninth year coach Steve Northcutt, he hopes Soderblom serves as an example for his wrestling squad of 13 grapplers.
“It shows that your grade doesn’t matter. It’s what you put into it,” said Northcutt. “You get out of wrestling what you put into it. If you don’t do the work, you won’t reap the benefits.”
The Hawks had a pair of state qualifiers last season — Soderblom and Josh Rockwell. Rockwell, qualifying at 215 last season, is one of four who are gone this year.
Soderblom went 1-2, winning his opening round match. Northcutt said it was a good experience for the young freshman.
“What he did last year was encouraging as a freshman,” said Northcutt. “There are a lot of things he can get better at — it’ll keep getting tougher for him. Just because he made it last year doesn’t guarantee he’ll make it back this year.”
Soderblom will move up to 171 pounds this season for the Hawks, with only two open weights in the lineup being at 135 and 140. The roster features a majority of underclassmen, seven freshmen or sophomores to just five upperclassmen.
The only senior on the roster is Tom Trettin at 152.
“Overall, it’s a good balance,” said Northcutt. “Our four juniors have wrestled varsity the past two years. It should be one of our better teams up and down the lineup in quite a while.”
Looking ahead to the season, Northcutt said the clear-cut favorite is Belle Plaine in the South Iowa Cedar League.
“Belle Plaine has a lot of returning qualifiers this year, and they’ll be pretty tough,” said Northcutt. “They’ll be the top team. I hope to get third or fourth in our conference.”
When it comes to the postseason, the Hawks (8-8 last season) would like to take another step this season as a team.
“Hopefully we can make it past sectionals as a team and make it to the regional duals,” said Soderblom. “That’d be a big accomplishment for us.”
