BEATRICE - The Beatrice wrestling season is underway.

The Orangemen won their first meet of the season last Saturday. Seniors Torrance Keehn and Brock Ostdiek gave a few thoughts on the groups return to the mat.

“It felt pretty good, got us back in the groove, and got some of the rust off” Ostdiek said. “It also let us know where we stand in comparison to some other teams and how we can improve.”

“It was a little rough after not wrestling for like five months, but after a few matches, I was feeling pretty good. Thought the team looked pretty good as well.”

Trevor Reinke is Beatrice’s two-time state champion. Having already won two titles and now in his senior season, he talked about the added pressure that comes with his status.

“I kind of just like to stay away from that pressure I guess,” Reinke said. “I don’t really like to think about it, just take it once match at a time.

Wrestling is a sport requiring strength in multiple forms. Otsdiek have his thoughts on what it takes on being a competitive wrestler.

“The way to be a competitive wrestler is to learn not to quit. Most of it is mental,” Ostdiek said. “Strength, quickness they’re great, but if you don’t have the mentality to keep going even when the match is tough it’s close, if you don’t have the mentality to keep going, it’s tough to win.”

Beatrice has a combination of experience and talented youth on their roster. Despite losing some key pieces in the off-season, Reinke and Ostdiek believe winning a state championship is possible and gave their thoughts on how the team can do it.

“This year it’s going to be a little bit more of a struggle, because we lost a lot of seniors, but we have an older group and a few young guys who can do pretty good,” Reinke said.

“Just depends on whether or not we can stay healthy and keep the grind on all year and not let off the gas,” Ostdiek. “And if our younger guys that are now stepping up on to varsity can step up for us, getting us to that state title.”