Senior Brian Haynes is locked and loaded for his final year of wrestling for the Storm. His story is different, however, than most senior wrestlers. After wrestling for Simpson his freshman year, Haynes didn’t go out his sophomore or junior year. Haynes is back on the mat and ready for his last go around this year.

Haynes finished his 2011-2012 freshman campaign going 17-19 at 157 pounds.

Haynes is wrestling at 165 pounds for his final year.

“I really missed the competiveness of the sport and everything that entails,” Haynes said. After watching his old teammate wrestle at nationals for Oklahoma last year, Haynes felt that he was capable of accomplishing those same achievements. Coach Matt Hansen is high on his abilities as a wrestler. “He has a little rust to knock off and he has not, in any way, peaked yet,” Hansen said, “We expect great things from Brian and we think he is going to have a great season.”

His expectations for himself are nothing short of great, either. Haynes fully expects to be competing at a high level during the year. “My expectations are to go to nationals,” Haynes said, “It’s the same for everyone on the team. All we work for all year is to be national champions.” Hansen is high on Haynes as a teammate and a leader. “The best leaders lead by example and Brian does a great job of that.”

Haynes has one short season remaining and he fully plans on not taking anything for granted. A new season brings new challenges, especially after sitting out for two years. “This year is way different than ever before,” Haynes said, “but I’m very excited to see how the rest of the year plays out.”