The offseason of high school wrestling really isn’t an offseason at all. 

At any good program, the wrestlers are practicing and working much of the year, preparing for the season and improving their skills. This is true at Davis High School, where the boys team has been hard at work.

“This team is excited to build on the work they put in last year,” head coach Bo Roundy said. “We had a great summer camp and a great preseason. We are ready and these kids are hungry for victory.”

Davis was 19th out of 25 teams at the Class 6A tournament a year ago. The Darts have several returning starters from the previous season, not to mention an influx of promising, talented freshmen that should bolster the team. 

“We have a talented crew and some great high-level ninth and 10th graders this year,” Roundy said. “We have a great mix of talent throughout all classifications. We spent last year building our roots and really digging in, and we are hoping to see that work show up this year.”

Senior Kayleb Murphy, in the 157-pound class, placed third in state last year. He’s back, and Roundy expects big things from him. Sophomore Ryker Roundy (165 pounds) was in the top eight last season, as was senior Andrew Thomson (126). Another senior, 144-pounder Josh Nosler, was a top-10 finisher at state a year ago. 

Bo Roundy is confident that several other wrestlers will contend at state. These competitors include senior Alden Vasquez (285), freshman Shepard Stephens (150), senior Luke Edgington (138), junior Xander Fenner (126) and junior Ben Brown (190). Keep an eye on freshman Austin Ellis too. At 132 pounds, the ninth grader is an All-American. 

“Time on the mat and being dedicated to work and strong mental attitude,” is what makes these wrestlers so good and so important to our team,” Bo Roundy said. “These kids chunk the season well and work hard to improve in practices.”

Davis doesn’t currently have a wrestler in the 106-pound class, which has made things a bit challenging for the team. Being short-handed at this lowest weight class could leave the Darts at a disadvantage, but Bo Roundy is hoping to find someone to fill the spot. 

“I have worked hard to try a 106-pounder in our school but to no avail – yet,” he said.

While a lot of coaches and teams talk about winning titles or amassing a certain number of victories, Bo Roundy is concerned about the day-to-day activities and doing the little things. He said if the wrestlers zero in on those things, success will come. He also preaches having a positive attitude and a passion for the sport. 

“The only goal I have right now for the team is for them to stay hungry and to take one day at a time,” he said. “They need to win the day.”

The Darts will compete throughout the season against Region 5 foes and other non-league opponents. The state tournament is Feb. 16 and 17 at Utah Valley University.