There’s no rest for the Fighting Knights this year. And head coach Alex Ruiz is excited about that prospect.

David Bell/News-Herald Photo. Havasu’s Michael Sharpnack, right, gets ready to take down teammate Ivan Morales during wrestling drills Wednesday. The Fighting Knights annual Purple and Gold Scrimmage takes place tonight at Lake Havasu High School at 6 p.m.

The Havasu wrestling squad kicks things off with the annual Purple and Gold Scrimmage tonight then it’s a home multi Monday against three powerful teams.

“Parker is always a tough team, they hustle. I think the last three or four years we’ve had to go to the tie breaker with them every time. (Yuma) Kofa is a state runner-up and then you throw in Yuma. They have athletes that always wrestle hard, with pride,” Ruiz said. “I’m really excited about this. It’s going to show where we’re at, what we need to work on to have a successful season. And you never know where you’re really at until you meet with someone else.”

What Ruiz does know is that the turnout for the 2009-10 team is up – about 45 wrestlers have stayed with the program through the first few weeks of practice.

“When the numbers are up, that’s always a good thing,” Ruiz said. “It adds depth and it gives the players a practice partner at their level of competition.

And he said the number of returning wrestlers gives hope to a run at a regional crown.

“Both Michael (Sharpnack) and Ryan (Jordan) had successful seasons last year, so we’re expecting good things out of them this year,” Ruiz said. “And we’ve got good leaders on the tea, wrestlers that have been successful. Like Brett (Mesisca), Cody Tracy, Tim Jaynes, Trevor Chase and Kyle Anderson. They’re taking the initiative and helping the new wrestlers.

“But right now we’re focusing on the first meet. Our first goal ever year is to compete and Monday we see if we can,” Ruiz continued. “We’re ready to wrestle live, ready to let it loose.”

Tonight’s scrimmage in the main gymnasium at Lake Havasu High School starts at 6 p.m.

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.

Lake Havasu High School

2009-10 Varsity Fighting Knights Wrestling Schedule

Home games in bold

Nov. 20 Purple vs. Gold (scrimmage); at LHHS, 6 p.m.

Nov. 23 Multi vs. Parker, Yuma Kofa, Yuma; at LHHS, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 25 Multi at Kingman, TBA

Dec. 2 Dual vs. Yuma Gila Ridge; at LHHS, 6 p.m.

Dec. 4-5 Campbell Redi-Mix Tournament; at LHHS, 1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m.

Dec. 9 Multi vs. Wickenburg, Bullhead City Mohave, Laughlin; at LHHS, 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 12-13 Southwest Showdown; at Grand Canyon University, TBA

Dec. 16 Dual at Bullhead City Mohave, 6 p.m.

Jan. 8-9 Peoria Tournament of Champions; at Peoria, 10 a.m.

Jan. 13 Multi vs. Yuma Cibola, Yuma Kofa, San Luis; at Yuma Kofa, TBA

Jan. 22-23 T-Bird Invitational; at Bullhead City Mohave, TBA

Jan. 27 Multi vs. Parker, Yuma Kofa, Bullhead City Mohave; at Parker, 1 p.m.

Feb. 13 5A-II State Sectionals; at Glendale Deer Valley, TBA

Feb. 16-17 5A-II Individual State Championships; at Arizona State University, TBA

Feb. 20 5A-II Team State Championships; TBA

Parker High School

2009-10 Varsity Broncs Wrestling Schedule

Home meets in bold.

Nov. 23 Multi vs. Lake Havasu, Yuma Kofa, Yuma at Lake Havasu, 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 2 Multi at River Valley, 2 p.m.

Dec. 4-5 Campbell’s Ready Mix Invitational at Lake Havasu, 1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m.

Dec. 9 Multi at Fountain Hills, TBA

Dec. 11-12 Buckeye Invitational, TBA

Dec. 19 Parker Invitational, Noon

Dec. 29-30 Mingus Mountain Invitational, TBA

Jan. 6 Multi at Goodyear Estrella Foothills, TBA

Jan. 13 Multi at Wickenburg, 11 a.m.

Jan. 16 3A West Regional Multiple, at PHS, Noon

Jan. 20 Multi at Wickenburg Multiple, TBA

Jan. 22-23 Mohave Invitational at Bullhead City, TBA

Jan. 27 Multi vs. Lake Havasu, Yuma Kofa, Bullhead City Mohave; at PHS, 1 p.m.