CHADRON – After being idle during the Thanksgiving weekend, the Chadron State College wrestling team began practicing again Sunday evening.

Interim coach Brett Hunter said the break seemed to re-energize the Eagles and he’s looking forward to the coming matches.

A handful of Eagles will enter the Fort Hays State Open Tournament on Saturday.

Hunter said those making the trip will include Perry McAfee and C.J. Clark, both of whom are expected to be in the lineup on Wednesday, Dec. 5, when the Eagles make their first home appearance of the season by hosting Dickinson State.

Hunter also said two freshmen, Jace Johnson, a state champion last season at Centennial High in Boise, Idaho, at 125 pounds and Bryce Wiedeman of Mitchell, a runner-up at the Nebraska State Tourney, at 157, will be in the Eagles’ lineup against Dickinson.

Most of the rest of the lineup had been determined before Thanksgiving. It will have Leando Arias at 141, Clark at 149, Dylan Fors at 165, Bret Klopp at 174, Jordan Debus at 184, Chris Leak at 197 and Mike Hill at heavyweight.

Arias, Clark, Fors and Hill are sophomores, Klopp and Debus are juniors and Leak and McAfee are seniors.

Hill leads the Eagles with a 13-3 record. Wiedeman is 9-6, Debus is 6-6 and Arias is 5-5. Several of the others are near the .500 mark after competing in three tough tournaments.