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Jason Waelti

Daniel Stinespring: 103 pounds

James Peterson: 171 pounds

Zach Myers: 152 pounds

Neal Kennedy: 119 pounds

Matt Gentry | The Roanoke Times

Blacksburg High School wrestler Daniel Stinespring (bottom) practices with teammate Jacob Monroe. The wrestling team has been practicing in Cassell Coliseum's gym at Virginia Tech after the high school gym's roof collapsed this weekend.

| Roger Gonzalez

Special to The Roanoke Times

BLACKSBURG -- Most athletic teams are forced to modify their tactics throughout the season.

Blacksburg High School wrestling team members are just trying to finish theirs.

In preparation for their biggest event of the season, the Virginia AA state tournament, the Bruins are trying to get back on track after the gym roof collapsed Saturday, leaving the facility unusable.

"We had been in there that morning at about 7 o'clock," Blacksburg coach Jason Waelti said. "We won't be able to go back to our room. Pictures have been up there for years.

"We can't go back to that."

Along with the incident comes the uncertainty of the condition of the wrestling equipment and all that was inside the wrestling office.

"We don't know about our wrestling room," Waelti said.

Searching for answers, the Bruins found another place to practice in Blacksburg.

After receiving offers from Christiansburg High and other surrounding schools, the Bruins went right down the road.

Bryan Stinespring, Virginia Tech football offensive coordinator and father of Blacksburg wrestler Daniel Stinespring, made a call to Tech wrestling coach Kevin Dresser.

Dresser agreed to allow the Bruins to practice at Cassell Coliseum.

"It was really nice and helpful," Bruin Zach Myers said. "When I heard the gym collapsed, I wasn't really sure what we were going to do. It was nice for them to open their doors and give us a place to work out."

Blacksburg practiced there this week.

"We feel very honored to come here," Daniel Stinespring said.

Though tough, having to move to another location is nothing for the Bruins. This year they have experienced numerous setbacks.

"I feel like we are pretty well-prepared," Waelti said. "We have had so many hurdles this year. We've made so many adjustments. One time we had everyone hurt but one."

In addition to the injuries, six events were canceled because of weather. Six more events were then booked as replacements and all of those were later canceled.

Now with a location close by to practice, Blacksburg is preparing itself mentally and physically for what's ahead.

Each of the four wrestlers participating in the state tournament has a realistic shot.

Blacksburg enters the state tournament having one wrestler win the region and a few others finish near the top.

James Peterson (22-1), who wrestles at 171 pounds, took home the region title last weekend and looks to be a favorite to take home the state title.

Waelti praised his wrestler.

"He will tell me that he wants to be the best," Waelti said. "He asks me what to do to be the best. It's the best thing a wrestler can do, ask how much does it take to be the best and he does it."

In regard to sizing up his competition, Waelti likes Peterson's chances.

"All the kids that he wrestles look way stronger than him," Waelti said. "The bigger they look, the better he does. He is extremely tenacious. He makes them work at a pace they're not used to working."

Peterson is ready.

"I'm confident," he said. "I'm peaking at the right time. I just need to practice hard, get my body ready, and I should have a good tournament. I don't see why I can't win it."

Neal Kennedy (7-3), who wrestles at 119 pounds, and Myers (24-6), who wrestles at 152, both finished second in the region tournament.

Kennedy has been troubled by injury for most of the year. The defending state champ at 102 pounds is still trying to get to 100 percent.

"Coming into this year, he was three times as good," Waelti said. "Last year he looked like a tiny kid. This year he looks ripped. He is real strong now. It's really the injury that's hampering him."

Myers will look to outwork his opponents this weekend.

"Zach's strength is raw talent," Waelti said. "When he goes, he goes extremely hard. When he is on top of his game, he is the best."

Freshman Daniel Stinespring (21-8) is entering the state tournament for the first time and is looking to impress.

"As a freshman, going to state is real big," Stinespring said. "I worked real hard. I think it will be great. I think I'll do just fine if I work hard and keep my mind right."

Today and Saturday, the Bruins will compete at the Salem Civic Center.

Waelti feels like the hard work all year long will pay off -- perhaps with someone being named state champion.

"Individually, they are going to do really well," Waelti said. "They've done the tough things other kids aren't willing to do. Extra time, pushing themselves to do things the hard way."

Win or lose, the players will be close and help one another until the end.

It's what they've been doing all year.

"This is a family," Waelti said. "This is a real tight family. These kids pick each other up. They take care of each other. That's why we have so many individuals that are good."