There is no place like home. This statement proves to be true as former wrestler, Nick Drahozal (X14), returns to the Xavier wrestling program as an assistant coach.

“I decided to become a coach to help out the program that helped me develop my skills during my time at Xavier,” Coach Drahozal said.

While at Xavier, Drahozal had 129 career wins and set the school record of 48 wins in a single season. Coach Drahozal has started to pass down his knowledge of the sport to his wrestlers.

“He has taught me how to better my stance and stay in a good position all the time,” senior and team captain Patrick Chambers said. “He makes me go as hard as I can.”

The wrestlers not only like Coach Drahozal as a coach, but off the mat as well.

“I like Coach Drahozal because he is young and gets where we are coming from,” senior and team captain Isaac Ball said. “He likes to be around us and learn who we are as people.”

Although it is early in the season, Coach Drahozal has already seen improvement from his wrestlers.

“I think the team has a lot to look forward to because everyone is getting better week by week,” Coach Drahozal said. “Hopefully, the team will add a few more wins during dual meets, and we will start crowning individual champions.”

As a wrestler, and now a coach, the state tournament is still Coach Drahozal’s favorite part of the season.

“It is the best time of the year as far as wrestling goes,” Coach Drahozal said. “You get to see the reward from all the hard work the wrestlers have put in all season.”

Although the wins and losses are important, they are not as important as the impact Coach Drahozal wants to have on his wrestlers.

“I want to help the kids to really enjoy the sport and become inspired to stay involved with it,” Coach Drahozal said.

The varsity wrestling team competed on Thursday, December 20 at Western Dubuque. They will compete next on Thursday, January 3 at 7 p.m. against Waterloo East at home.