The season is starting to wear on the Bow wrestling team.

After beginning the season 6-0 in dual meets, an undermanned Falcons squad fell at Hollis-Brookline 46-30, losing many points to forfeit on Jan. 9.

Three days later, on Saturday, Jan. 12, Bow traveled to Merrimack for the school’s annual Hall of Fame tournament, and, fielding eight of a potential 13 wrestlers due to injury and illness, only Doug Rosenberg placed, finishing second in the 135-pound weight division.

“In some respects, we just faced superior competition – kids who were grappling at a much higher level – and it showed,” said Bow coach Paul Cohen. “Some of it is just a learning process, especially with the inexperienced kids. For the experienced kids, it’s just a matter of correcting the mistakes that continue to hamper them.”

Agility and endurance should, in many cases, prove a non-issue as Cohen pushes toward the Division II tournament and Meet of Champions.

Indeed, he recruited several of his football players from a team that reached the Division V semifinals in the fall.

“In some senses, it translates a lot. Since I’m the football coach, I know these kids are well-conditioned and much more physically prepared for wrestling than a lot of kids who don’t play football. Doug Rosenberg is the one exception,” he said of his standout senior, who trained on his own throughout the summer and fall.

Those trading in their shoulder pads and helmets for singlets and headgear include 285-pounder Evan Ward, fellow heavyweight CJ Poole, 215-pounder Ian Wedemeyer, 171-pounder Jim Paveglio, 160-pounder Eric Raiche, 140- to 145-pounder Jonathan Lefebvre, 135 to 140-pounder Blake Nelson and 119- to 125-pounder Ben Morrow.

In addition to being in good physical shape, many of Cohen’s grapplers know how to use their hands and feet to gain an on-mat advantage – sometimes.

“For the bigger guys, the offensive and defensive linemen, they’re used to shedding and performing certain maneuvers that really help them on the wrestling mat,” said Cohen. “The idea of balance and the ability to use one’s hands to keep an opponent at bay is also important, but at the same time a lot of holds our offensive and defensive linemen can use are nullified without pads. Likewise, a lot of throws and maneuvers of that nature are illegal on the football field, so there certainly are just as many differences.”

The time factor can make the transition difficult, he added, saying in football, a player goes all out for three hours, while in wrestling an athlete must get amped up for minutes, then relax for a prolonged period – often snacking and napping to pass time – then regain that intensity when they hit the mat for their next match.

Working as a synchronized unit in football presents certain challenges, as does the individual nature of wrestling.

No matter the similarities or differences between the two sports, Cohen is certain his wrestlers will be prepared Feb. 16.

“I think you’ll continue to see us improve once we get a few kids back and get healthy,” he said. “We realize the state meet is a month away, but it’s at our house, where we’ve been pretty successful. So we’ll definitely be ready.”