With the team’s first match scheduled for Dec. 5 against Keene, Salem’s wrestlers are gearing up to improve upon last year’s 10-7 record.

Head coach Wes Decker said he was slightly disappointed with last year’s finish, but believes this winter will bring improvement.

“The team’s looking real strong,” Decker said. “Numbers are up for the first time since I’ve been head coach.”

Decker’s two seniors captains, John Rheume and Cody Sharpe, head the squad with both their performance and leadership.

Rheume wrestles at the 120-pound wieght class, and Sharpe does battle at 152.

“Theyre both excelent wrestlers, but they’re even better people,” Decker said.

Overall, Decker said his team has the ability to build on last year’s positive record.

Although Decker didn’t see exactly what he was hoping for last year, he said this year’s team has excellent potential, and with a large freshman class, will be a step toward a strong future program.
“We have some strong returning guys and some looking new guys,” Decker said.

Junior Tyler Siverhaus, a transfer, is looking promising, Decker said. He broke his arm in his sophomore year, but had an impressive freshman campaign. Siverhaus wrestles in the 132-pound weight class. Senior Jake Peck also looks to contribute.

He returns to the squad after sitting out for two years.

The Blue Devils have a tough schedule, which the coaching staff engineered on purpose to get the wrestlers difficult competition.

They compete against some of the best teams Massachusetts has to offer in a tournament in Chelmsford, as well as a holiday tournament held in Lowell.

“We’re always looking to make our schedule as tough as possible,” Decker said.

Besides the out-of-state matches and tournaments, the team has 12 competitions over the season.

They finish up the regular season Feb. 6 at Pinkerton, before the postseason starts.