By Don Ketchum

Justin Zaske started out wrestling with friends. Then he got serious.

He developed into one of the state’s top wrestlers for Cottonwood Mingus, and last year was rewarded with the 152-pound state title in Division III.

This year, the senior has jumped up one weight class to 160 and is looking to earn another title.

Mingus began its season on Wednesday (Nov. 30) at a meet at Phoenix Barry Goldwater, and on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 2-3) will participate in the Grand Canyon Wrestling Tournament at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Other teams in the Grand Canyon event are Anthem Boulder Creek, Phoenix Carl Hayden, Tempe Corona del Sol, Goodyear Desert Edge, Mesa Desert Ridge, Tucson Flowing Wells, Gilbert Highland, Tucson Ironwood Ridge, Tempe Marcos de Niza, Parker, Payson, Gilbert Perry, Prescott, Queen Creek, Rio Rico, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, Mesa Skyline, Tempe, Surprise Valley Vista and Buckeye Verrado.

Zaske is looking forward to competing in the new weight class.

“I wrestled at 160 a lot of the time last year, so I feel confident there,’’ he said.

After wrestling mostly with friends, Zaske attempted to pick up wrestling when he first got to Mingus. It wasn’t easy, he said, “but I fell in love with the sport.’’

Success in the meets starts with hard work in the wrestling room and on the trails. Zaske and some of his teammates run a few miles a day to help with their endurance.

And there is the diet. Young people like to eat almost everything under the sun, and Zaske says he has to “ration’’ some of his favorite snacks and drinks, such as Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and Mountain Dew.

Early in his matches, Zaske prefers to analyze his opponent and decide which style will work best, although he said he doesn’t prefer the top or bottom, but being neutral.

“I feel I am better on my feet, going for those takedowns. I am more aggressive on my feet,’’ he said.

Zaske has enjoyed the sport, getting to meet people around the state and developing friendships with his teammates.

He has considered trying to wrestle in college, “but it would have to be a really good scholarship deal,’’ he said.

What is more likely is that he will attend Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and study forestry and wildlife.

His wrestling background could come in handy one day if he is called upon to roust a bear from a campground. Takedown!!