Cal Poly Wrestling Embraces ‘Next Man Up’ Mentality Amidst Injury Challenges
As the regular season progresses, the Cal Poly wrestling team has navigated a series of challenges, notably injuries to key wrestlers Zeth Romney and Trevor Tinker. However, Head Coach Jon Sioredas has fostered a program culture centered around a “next-man-up” mentality, ensuring continued success and development across the roster.
Preparing for the Unexpected
Coach Sioredas proactively prepares the entire team for potential setbacks. He emphasizes that wrestlers beyond the starting lineup must be ready to compete at any given moment. This approach anticipates injuries and ensures a seamless transition when they occur.
“The number two guy at the weight, and even the number two guy at a weight below, needs to be ready,” Sioredas said. “We treat them like starters ahead of time, anticipating injuries that will eventually happen. And when that does happen, next guy steps up, and he’s ready to go.”
Developing a Program-Wide Impact
The “next man up” philosophy extends beyond simply filling roster spots; it fosters growth and development for all team members. By investing in backups and redshirts, the coaching staff ensures a strong foundation for the program’s future.
“I believe, from a coaching staff standpoint, it allows us to pour into the backups, as well, and into the red shirts, and not just our starters,” Sioredas explained. “I think the easy way is grab your best couple guys, and pour everything into them, and they do well, but then what happens if one or two guys goes out?”
Freshmen and Redshirts Step Up
True freshman Levi Bussey and redshirt freshman Alek VanBebber exemplify this mindset. Bussey competed in place of the heavyweight Tinker, despite typically wrestling at a lower weight class. VanBebber successfully dropped weight from 149 pounds to 141 pounds to fill in for Romney.
VanBebber credits the team’s culture for its ability to maintain a consistent level of performance as the Pac-12 Championship approaches. “Everyone trains hard, everyone’s focused, even in the weight room, with our diets and the wrestling room,” VanBebber said. “If you watch everyone, they’re scrapping, no one’s falling over for anyone else. Even 125-pound wrestlers, 141-pounders, they don’t care. Everyone’s gonna wrestle the same.”
Looking Ahead to the Championships
With the season nearing its conclusion and only one tournament remaining before the 2026 Pac-12 Championships, Cal Poly aims to leverage its “next man up” mentality for success. The Pac-12 Championships will be hosted at the Mott Athletics Center in San Luis Obispo.