ROSEBURG – The high school wrestling season got underway on a positive note for Roseburg senior Hunter Sparks, who signed a national letter of intent to wrestle for the Cal Poly Mustangs on Monday night.

Sparks, a three-time placer at the state championship tournament, verbally committed to the Mustangs last month. Cal Poly was the only NCAA Division-I school to offer Sparks, but he also had interest from smaller schools as well.

“I know probably 10 of the guys on the team right now,” said Sparks, who plans to study kinesiology at Cal Poly. “I have friends down there and past friends that are alumni. So, I just fell in love with the school.”

Sparks’ signing came on the first day of practice for the Roseburg wrestling team. The senior says getting his college decision done now will help ease his mind as he hits the mats.

“It’s just kind of, like, one thing out of the way before my season gets going. I don’t really have to worry about wrestling and finding a college. So, I’ve already got one step out of the way.”

With his focus now on his senior season, Sparks hopes to get back to his championship form. He won an individual title at 106 pounds as a sophomore. Sparks was the top seed last year at 113 pounds, but was upset in the title bout.

Sparks says he wasn’t humble enough last year, but this season he plans to make some changes.

“Just stay humble and leave it all out on the mat. That’s kind of my plan. Just work harder.”

Roseburg wrestling will have its first competition on December 1. The Indians will head to McNary High School for an 8-team tournament.