The Katy High boys wrestling team will look to build on its success from the past four years, and during the 2019-20 regular season, as it continues to prepare for its big district meet on Feb. 7.

Coach Vinnie Lowe said the emphasis this season has been developing depth and refining the team’s conditioning. Through Jan. 29, the Tigers were 21-2 overall and ranked second behind Allen in the Wrestling Texas 6A team rankings.

“We’ve won the district and the region the last four years,” Lowe said. “This has been a long time in the making and we’ve got some really hard-working kids and families that support what we do.”

The Tigers have a returning state champion, senior Kishawn Higgins, at 170 pounds. Junior Jackson Crandall at 120, junior Luke Holland at 132 and senior Jacob Kelske at 160 are all expected to compete for state tournament slots as well. Freshman Phoenix Medrano-Matrinez is currently ranked third at 106 in the region as well, behind Morton Ranch senior Douglas Melrose and Cypress Ranch freshman Alec Robeson.

However, Lowe noted that for the upperclassmen, they’ve stayed sharp because of a strong crop of younger wrestlers under them.

“The great thing about our team is that they hold each other accountable,” he said. “They better stay hungry and they better stay motivated, because we have freshmen that are right there with them.”

Lowe said a key development has been “double entering” when possible at tournaments, via a Katy Red and a Katy White team. As a result, he said, even freshmen were logging 20 to 25 matches this year.

“We’re trying to get everyone action and everyone experience,” he said. “We’re getting them out there and getting them experienced.”

Like any sport that mixes team and individual success, Lowe said there was an emphasis on getting the wrestlers exposed to as many styles and approaches as possible before the season-ending tournaments. Practices started in late October, with the competitive season running from the second week of November through the end of February.

“You’re fine-tuning your toolbox and technique to ones that are going to work,” he said of what they’re telling the kids in practice and at meets. “They’re really trying to work on fine-tuning their conditioning, to make sure they can take these matches into overtime and tiebreakers, especially as you get to the level where you’re going to get pushed.”

The district wrestling tournament takes place Friday, Feb. 7 at 8:30 a.m. and Saturday, Feb. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Merrell Center. Qualifying wrestlers will take part in the UIL Region III tournament at the Merrell Center on Friday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. and Saturday, Feb. 15 at 9 a.m.