A different theme surrounds Pocatello’s three wrestling squads.

    For Poky, it’s consistency — can the Indians continue the trend of solid wrestling in Southeast Idaho? Pocatello had five state placers last season, and three of them — sophomore Kade Smith and Luke Kirby and junior Alex Iszler — return.

    It’s the same thing for Highland. Five wrestlers placed at state last year and three return: Sophomores Tanner Cordingley and Brittan Bell plus junior Garrett Christensen.

    But Century doesn’t have the luxury of returning any state placers. In fact, the Diamondbacks sent just one wrestler to the tournament last year. Junior Dexter Parker was bounced in the opening round and won his next two matches before losing the sixth place bout.

    First-year Century head coach Denny Humphries is confident he already has D-back wrestling turned around.

    “We’re teaching them good, quality stuff, and they’re picking up on it great,” he said. “I really think it’s just a matter of time before everybody sees a turnaround.”

    In duals against Idaho Falls and Skyline, Century lost 66-18 and 48-26, respectively. But the Diamondbacks were hampered by forfeits caused by some wrestlers not having enough practice time or not making weight.

    Humphries sees the improvement in his team, and it’s coming quickly. His wrestlers just need to focus on fundamentals. The rest, he says, will develop.

    “Getting back to the basics is one of the main things we need to do,” Humphries said. “Some of these kids are trying to advance themselves beyond the basics before they’ve kind of polished them off.”

    With Dexter Parker and his twin brother, Spencer, holding down the 106 and 113 weight classes, Joe Ballard taking on the duties at 138 and Tristan Cottrell at 132, the D-backs are putting themselves in position for success.

    While the Diamondbacks are still trying to develop a state champion for the first time in Century’s history, Pocatello is making sure it continues its upward trend. Led by Smith, who finished in third place at the 98-pound weight class in the state tournament a year ago, the Indians boast a strong contingent of youthful energy and veteran presence.

    “I really like our lineup,” said Pocatello head coach Todd Praska. “We got some young guys that need to improve.

    Along with Smith, Kirby placed fourth at state along with Iszler. Cameron Loper, who went 26-15 last season with aspirations of making it to state, got eliminated from the district tournament after failing to place.

    “He’s a good football player and one of our leaders,” Praska said. “He went into districts last year seeded No. 1 and had a rough day. He’s out for revenge.”

    Adding wrestlers like sophomore Ty Root, freshman Hunter Roubidoux and senior Sam Joerger, the Indians are a team who should send numerous wrestlers to state.

    Highland head coach Kolby Cordingley has a lot of young talent as well. A year removed from having a youthful squad with not a lot of senior presence, Cordingley returns 18 of the 20 state competitors from last season’s Ram team.

    “We’re still kind of a young team,” he said. “Not as young as last year. I had a ton of freshmen last year. … It’s a slow learning process because you always want to make sure that you do it enough to where it becomes natural to do in a match.”

    The talent and skill on Highland’s roster has proved themselves to be picking up things pretty well in the early season. Junior Denver Dobson has seven wins — all pins — and one loss so far. After breaking his leg his sophomore year following a third-place finish at state his freshman campaign, Dobson is one of the many Rams to have high expectations.

    “That’s kind of our goal, to continue to build and progress and get better throughout the whole year,” Cordingley said. “I’ve got a lot of kids that have come back and have really started out well.”

    Tanner Cordingley, Kolby’s son, currently sits at 7-2 and looks to get back to the state tournament. Christensen and Bell have yet to be defeated as well.

    Kolby Cordingley believes his team learns the value of hard work, not just on the mat, but in life. The teachings he provides are one of the reasons he’s a coach. It’s why there are so many wrestlers who dream of being state champions.

    “The hardest part about wrestling is being consistent, coming in here every single day and working hard,” Cordingley said. “Because it grinds on you. … I want them to learn those types of things in a controlled environment here so that you can really prepare them better for life in general.”

    If the exertion going on in gyms and wrestling rooms around Pocatello is any indication, there are plenty of life lessons being passed around.