Numbers-wise, Waupaca High School’s wrestling program is in good shape. Experience-wise is a different story, however.

“We have a lot of freshmen out,” first-year coach Tom Reif said. “I’d say half to three-quarters of our team are freshman. Then there are guys like Levi Petroske, Anthony Friese and Mitch Molder that have been around and are setting the tone for the kids. They’re good leaders. Levi’s been around the sport for a really long time and he has a great work ethic. He pretty focused and brings a lot to the table.”

Petroske, a junior who placed fifth in Division 2 at 126 pounds at the State Individual Wrestling Meet in March, is back, while Friese, a senior transfer student from Alaska who competed at state there, is a newcomer.

“He’s already brought a lot to the program,” Reif said. “He’s a really hard worker and has a lot of tools to be successful. Hopefully, he can get down to the state tournament and make some noise down there. He has a lot of matches under his belt. He was at a camp in Minnesota and got the hardest worker award there.”

Some of the incoming freshman could find a spot on the varsity roster, according to Reif.

“We have a lot of freshmen coming in, but some of these kids have been wrestling for quite a while,” he said. “There are a couple freshmen that might get a varsity spot. We don’t have all the weight classes determined yet because we haven’t had the wrestle-offs yet. We will this week. We might forfeit a weight class or two right off the bat, but we should have all the weight classes filled.”

The Comets open the season at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in Clintonville.

Reif is working with about 20 wrestlers on the varsity and junior varsity teams. “The program’s growing,” he said. “We probably have 40 guys at the middle school. The program’s starting to grow in terms of numbers. Now we have to get them to wrestle and be successful on the mat.

Waupaca 2012-13 Wrestling Schedule

Varsity

Thursday, Nov. 29 – at Clintonville, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 1 – at Red Robin Invitational, Antigo, 9:45 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 6 – vs. Little Chute, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 8 – at Akey Duals, Weyauwega, 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 13 – vs. Winneconne, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 15 – at Willard Schmitt Scramble, Green Bay Preble, 9:15 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 28 – at Oshkosh on the Water Invitational, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 29 – at Oshkosh on the Water Invitational, 9 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 3 – at Freedom, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 5 – at West Bend East Invitational, 9 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 8 – vs. Ripon, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 10 – vs. Fox Valley Lutheran, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 12 – at Cutler Bulldog Classic, New London, 10 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 24 – vs. Berlin, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 26 – at Laconia Invitational, Rosendale, 9:30 a.m.

Junior Varsity

Saturday, Dec. 1 – at Red Robin Invitational, Antigo, 9:45 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 6 – vs. Little Chute, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 13 – vs. Winneconne, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 3 – at Freedom, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 8 – vs. Ripon, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 10 – vs. Fox Valley Lutheran, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 12 – at Cutler Bulldog Classic, New London, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 19 – at Appleton West JV Invitational, 9:15 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 24 – vs. Berlin, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 26 – at Weyauwega-Fremont JV Invitational, Rosendale, 10 a.m.