By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  Open Mats are in session for the McKay Wrestling team Tuesday afternoon for the first of nine Open Mat Dates in the upper basketball gym at McKay High School.

For the next eight dates: September 8, September 15 and 29.  October 6, 11, 27.  November 3 and 10, the Scots have open mats for those who are interesting in joining the wrestling team this winter.

Head Coach Troy Thomas says that these open mats are important for them to continue to build the program entering this upcoming season.

“It’s important to get the word out there now, not only do we have a program but we have a great program that we’re looking to build on,” he said.  “So the open mats today and the open mats Thursday, will be important.

“We want to get as many kids  up here as possible, especially freshman.  However quite a few of them are playing football, but I’m pretty satisfied with the size of the group we have today and I anticipate growing for the future.”

Of the eight or so wrestlers taking part in the open mats, were Salvador ‘Chava’ Carmago, David Rubio (who finished fourth in the 145 bracket at Greater Valley Conference Districts as a freshman) and Andy Rubio (who won the 160 pound class at the same GVC Districts as a junior).

Andy Rubio, who’s juggling Cross Country with wrestling for his senior season, knows it’s important to take advantage of the open mats whenever they can to get better.

“It’s really important because the guys who worked in the offseason, they have so much more confidence during the season because they’ve been working,” said Rubio. “Just been working, working, working.

“Last season I got my confidence heading into the season because I was working every day.  I told myself, ‘if I’m not working, my opponent’s working’, so I’m working twice as hard every day and I think that’s important to wrestle because you get so much better.”

The open mat session roared on as they bonded with one another as the wrestling season slowly sneaks up them.

PHOTOS (Pictures By Jeremy McDonald)