Wolverines improving

Wolverines coach Aaron Wise saw tangible results over the weekend of how much his team has improved over a year ago.

Bentonville West went 5-3 and finished seventh out of 16 teams in the Diamond State Duals, after going winless and finishing last year.

“The big thing is we did with the same group of kids with Jake (Adams) out hurt,” Wise said. “The big thing, I think, comes down to maturity and confidence. But the one thing we’re trying to work in is I feel like we’re too passive.

The thing we’re working on in practice this week is to pull the trigger. If you make a mistake, we’ll work on that. But you’ve got to be willing to take a chance.”

Connor Klein went 8-0 over the weekend and is coming back, after missing most of last season with an injury. Stephen Fox, a 6A-7A state medalist, lost twice to a pair of state champions, but wrestled well all weekend, Wise said.

“Connor had a big match against Cole Hatfield of Seneca,” Wise said. “The match against him last year was the one that he broke his thumb and ended his season. It was the fourth time he wrestled him and previous three he lost. He pinned him and that was a big thing for him.

“Stephen took Michael Crockett into overtime and I thought for the first period and a half was controlling the match against Max Roark of Seneca.

— Paul Boyd • @NWApaul