The Eagan Wrestling team wrapped up its season about a week ago, sending its two senior captains – Sodan Ka and Joe Dubbels – to State after finishing the team’s State competition one week earlier.

Unfortunately enough, the team was ousted after beating East Ridge in the first round by – who else? – Eastview. However, Ka and Dubbels were still able to attend the individual State tournament and they had strong showings, each finishing in fifth place in his respective weight class.

All in all, the team did an impressive job this year and finished with a respectable 9-4 record. “The season was a great season,” summarized Ka, and Dubbels added that, “We did really well. A lot better than was expected, which is really nice.”

Expectations were not all that high coming in because the team graduated a number of tough wrestlers this past year and was going to have to rely on its younger members. But, as Dubbels explained, these young members managed to step up. “We didn’t expect a lot of the guys to develop like they did over the summer,” he said. “But they came out and just wrestled really tough throughout the season.”

Now, the team will be graduating several more important members – Dubbels, Ka, and Victor Tokman – and the two State-goers, both of whom won’t be wrestling in college, agree that they’ll miss being part of the squad when next year rolls around.

“I’ll most miss being around the team and coaches,” explained Ka. “They really taught me a lot in life and showed me stuff that I wouldn’t have known.” Dubbels echoed this sentiment, stating that, “The thing I’ll miss most is the camaraderie. These guys are all my best friends and I had more fun this season that I’ve had my whole life.”

Thankfully, prospects for next season are not all gloomy. The team will be returning many talented members – including its two other captains, Alex Hauser and Riley White – and has just as much of a shot to succeed next year. As Dubbels said, “I think we’ll be just fine. The main core will still be here, so I expect them to do very well.” Hopefully, his confidence in the younger members isn’t misplaced, but if their performance this past season is any indication, they’ll help the team come back as strong as ever when next season rolls around.