Approximately 50 wrestlers came out for the first day of Junction City Blue Jay wrestling practice on Monday.

Coach Bob Laster said on Monday he expected more athletes who were on the Blue Jay football team to come out as well.

“First day we just went over the basic things that the wrestlers need to know. We went over our different power positions, just going from neutral to top referee and bottom referee position, pretty much just worked on the basic themes today.”

The Blue Jays open their season December third with dual matches against Chapman and Clay Center.

Laster feels this is a young Blue Jay squad. “Yeah I would say we’re young.”He  added the Blue Jays have some things to do to prove themselves this year. “Yeah, we’re a young team. We did lose a lot of seniors from our last year’s team. ”

One returner Aryus Jones is recovering from a serious leg injury in football, but Laster feels it’s possible he could compete in wrestling sometime in January. Other returning wrestlers who have state tournament experience include Max Bazan, Hunter Bogenhagen, and Kamari Smith.