The Norwalk boys wrestling team returns to action later this week with a Little Hawkeye Conference dual at Pella on Thursday and a dual tournament Saturday at Iowa City West.

The Warriors enter the new year with a 2-3 overall record, a 2-1 mark in Little Hawkeye duals and a new No. 1-ranked individual in senior Maddux Borcherding-Johnson.

According to the latest Class 3A rankings from IAwrestle, Borcherding-Johnson is the top-ranked wrestler at 285 pounds. Also ranked for Norwalk are Tyler Harper (3rd at 106) and Donovan Card (8th at 138).

Borcherding-Johnson is 14-0 on the season, including a victory over previous No. 1 Jake Walker of Waverly-Shell Rock. Harper’s individual record is 12-2 while Card and 160-pounder Dominic Tigner are both 11-5.

Norwalk wrestling coach Jacob Brown says that Borcherding-Johnson is hungry for a 3A state title this year after placing third at heavyweight last year.

“Maddux is a man on a mission this year,” Brown said. “Obviously the physical tools are there as he is bigger, stronger and faster than last year, but it’s the motivation this year that is making him compete at a higher level.”

Brown adds that former Coe College heavyweight Alex Burkle has joined the Norwalk coaching staff this year and is doing great things in his individual work with Borcherding-Johnson.

Brown also noted that sophomore Kolton Borcherding-Johnson – Maddux’s younger brother – is set to make his varsity debut at 220 pounds this week and should make an immediate impact. According to Brown, Kolton Borcherding-Johnson has dropped 50 pounds since the summer to make weight at 220, and he applauds his discipline and mental toughness to get there.

In addition to their dual meets so far this year, the Warriors have competed in three tournaments, placing fourth at the Keith Young Invitational in Cedar Falls, eighth at the Frank Baltzley Invitational in Johnston and first at the Bill Van Horn Invitational in Pella.