Fullerton, CA - Hope International Royals wrestling will kick off its inaugural season when Coach Shawn Contos and the team head to Prescott, AZ for the Mile High Open, hosted by Embry-Riddle (AZ). This will be one of only a select few times the Royals will take the mats competitively this year, and they are excited about the opportunity.

According to Head Coach Shawn Contos, This season is all about getting experience and focusing on things we will need to do to be successful. Everyone wants to win, and we have been training hard, so I feel like we are in a really good position. For us, nothing will change as far as our approach is concerned. We want to do what we can to the best of our ability and give Glory to God. It really won't change for us from that perspective, so we can go out and compete freely and try to score points."

Coach Contos is also hoping to see his young Royals implement the new style they have been working on since the preseason. According to transfer student Bryan Romero, "I am excited to compete to my fullest potential, and to try to do the things we have been working on in practice. I want to get to my positions and do anything I can to score. I want to learn from each match and keep making progress."

Another Royal Ruben Ortiz added, "I am pretty excited to get out there and compete. I want to attack. Attack from every position and score points. I want to be gritty and give anything up easily."

One of the team leaders Joshua Padilla says, "I am hyped to finally be back on the mat after a long layoff. I am ready to put the things we have been working on with coach into a competition setting, and I am ready to test the progress to see where I need to go in order to win a National title."

This will be the first test for the team, and it will be a difficult one. There are nationally ranked wrestlers in every weight class, and several top ranked teams as well. "We are looking forward to testing ourselves against some of the best guys in the country. It will be a lot of fun and will give us a detailed blueprint of what we need to do to reach that level. It is exciting," Coach Contos ended with.

Stay tuned for results from The Mile High Open on Saturday, November 16 and best of luck to the HIU wrestlers!