While many sports teams face the same competition repeatedly throughout the season, the wrestling team has decided to take a step outside their comfort zone, and at times even their state, to get opportunities against schools they would not be able to face in Kansas City.

In December, the varsity team traveled to Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a tournament that featured 39 schools and had a quick stop in Plattsmouth, Neb., the night before for a dual.

“We love the Council Bluffs trip,” Conor Fitzgerald, head coach, said. “The competition is extremely tough, but we learn so much and grow as a team every year during that trip.”

Fitzgerald also noted he was excited about the varsity team visiting Newton, Kan., this week for the Tournament of Champions, which is their first year attending the event.

Besides being able to face tougher competition that is different than what they face at home, the wrestling team also uses travel as a bonding experience.

“The best part is getting to be with everyone. It’s lots of fun hanging out with the team,” Anthony Swann, senior, said.

And they surely do spend a lot of time with each other, from eating meals together to staying in the same hotel to even riding in the same cars, which is what Fitzgerald believes are the things that make traveling so memorable.

“We do everything as a team, which makes out of town trips much more valuable. We grow closer as a team every time we head out of town,” he said.

Traveling during the regular season may be a great experience for the wrestlers, but undoubtedly the biggest tournament of all is the state tournament in Wichita this February. That will be where the team hopes to improve over their 11th place finish last season, and with all of the difficult out of state competition they have faced, they may have a shot at it.