Fans of Sand Devils wrestling got their first look at the new team on Nov. 30 when Page hosted the Regional Round Robin. Eight schools from around the region participated, and both boys and girls wrestling teams competed. 

Individual scores were counted but not team scores. As far as teams go, the meet was treated like a scrimmage, said Head Wrestling Coach Kyran Keisling.

The wrestlers took the meet very seriously because wins and losses count toward their season record. 

Coach Keisling is looking forward to this season and expects it to be a good one. 

“We went through our rebuilding years, and we should be respectable this year,” he said.  “We have a great group of senior leaders and a bunch of young kids who are willing to follow the examples of those leaders.”

Coach Keisling has three very talented wrestlers competing to wrestle in the 126-pound weight category: seniors Ashton Penrod and Shane Ruiz, and freshman Connor Peterson. 

“The two who don’t win can decide if they want to move up or drop down a weight,” said Coach Keisling. 

That level of competition will only make them and the team more competitive, Coach Keisling said. 

“Iron sharpens iron,” he said. 

This year’s captains on the boys wrestling team are Ashton Penrod, Shane Ruiz, Hayden Charles and Cedric Begay.