By Alex Nicoll

Editor-in-Chief

@NicollMac

Christmas comes early for the Coppell wrestling team as it hosts the 13th annual Knockout Santa Slam Duals and Individuals. The 16 team tournament will feature some of the top programs in the Dallas area and in the state.

“It has developed into one of the toughest Christmas tournaments in the state of Texas,” coach Chip Lowery said.

The tournament begins with the duals today at 5:30 p.m. at Coppell High School. The duals pit team against team with Coppell facing off against TCA-Addison and Highland Park. Highland Park placed third at the state championship last year.

Also notable teams present include San Antonio Winston Churchill, Houston Westside, Flower Mound and reigning Class 4A champion Frisco Centennial.

On Saturday, the Knockout Santa Slam Individuals begin at 10 a.m. at CHS. The Individuals is a tournament where wrestlers enter weight classes.

The Coppell teams have performed surprisingly well this early in the year and will focus on building on their success in the duals and Individuals.

“Our boys have been wrestling pretty well, this early in the year,” Lowery said. “Our girls are mostly freshmen , so they’re growing and getting better but we hope for them to have some success too.”