Waukee Wrestlers Seek First Winning Record Since Joining Large Schools

Eighth-year head coach Chad Vollmecke took 24 kids to Troy, Mo., this summer for the Purler Takedown Machine Camp.

That's a microcosm of the commitment and improvement he says is taking place right now with Waukee's wrestling program.

The Warriors' lone state qualifier from last year, Collin Mundus, has graduated and is wrestling at Grand View University. Still, Vollmecke says this year's team has realistic goals to improve from last year's team that finished 10-11 in dual meets. Based upon his track record as head coach, it seems like a good possibillity.

When Vollmecke took over in 2004, his team went 3-18 in dual meets. In the following years, his team's won three, six, seven, nine, nine and then last year 10 wins, to go along with 11 losses.

"We still have yet to have to get that winning dual meet record, so that's one of our goals is to have a winning dual-meet season, " said Vollmecke. 

That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Vollmecke and team goals for the season.

"Another goal is to have multiple qualifiers at the state tournament. Last year was our best finish ever in the Iowa Conference; we finished third, so we want to be top three again. And another goal is to finish in the top 16 in the state so we can compete in regional duals, that would be a first, as well. So we have a lot of firsts that we're going after," said Vollmecke.

Waukee's never been known as a wrestling program, but Vollmecke says it's the pursuit of improvement that's the most exciting.

"The wrestling community around here knows how much improvement we've made," said Vollmecke. "We're obviously not where we want to be, but we can at least sleep at night knowing that we're giving kids opportunities to be successful and we're making progress."

The Warriors will have their first meet Saturday at Bondurant-Farrar.

Returning Letterwinners: 

Seniors: Jason Clark, Badih Delati, and Bryan Walsh

Juniors: Troy Gatzionis, Ryan Glenn, Chris Grow