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Wrestling Building with Youth

By Jack Welsch ’22, Ben Tallman ’22 and Nick Wood ’23 , 02/01/22, 12:30PM CST

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Wrestling is a unique sport. It has aspects of both a team sport and an individual sport, a combination that builds a very close team in a short period of time. At the beginning of the year, we had a team of only six returning wrestlers. Last year, a majority of the team was made up of seniors. \However, with the help of upperclassmen, coaches, and a few ambitious freshmen, we managed to put together a team of more than 20 wrestlers. 

This new group of wrestlers is the biggest incoming group we have had in years. Not only do we have high schoolers, but also three eighth graders who are committed to improving their wrestling skills. On top of that, we have the most diverse team we have seen in a long time, including  three Amerigo students. This is a major step towards growing the wrestling program as it shows that any student can wrestle, no matter their background.

Many of the new wrestlers are showing rapid improvement as well as commitment to the team. Despite the fact that many of the wrestlers didn’t know each other before the season started, many students feel very connected to one another.  

“I feel closer with other wrestlers than any other friends I’ve made since I’ve been at CDH,” said Evan Stoltz ’25

Many wrestlers began to hang out with each other outside of practice. Since the season started, we have had many team meals together. It is a fun and inclusive way for students of all grades to engage and connect. All of the captains have different leadership styles that compliment each other. This style of leadership from the four upperclassmen captains helps underclassmen feel like they have guidance from others who have been in their shoes. 

 “Having upperclassmen to look up to and to teach me moves has been very helpful throughout the season,” said Theto Hatley ’25

Despite the many difficulties we have faced with COVID and the young and growing team, we have managed to break barriers. Despite being in one of the toughest conferences in the state, we managed to beat two of those teams so far. This is a major milestone as we haven’t been able to beat these teams since joining the conference. Another barrier is the challenge of COVID and how it has affected the number of matches that we have gotten, and the amount of teammates that are stuck in quarantine from week to week. 

Wrestling is a great sport for anyone! Athletes that are focused on a fall or spring sport can join wrestling to become stronger and faster for their main sport. Wrestling is also a great sport for anybody who is looking to try something new. 

“I joined wrestling my sophomore year after I started to realize my chances of making the hockey team were slim and my friend wanted me to try it out,” said captain Jack Welsch ’22 “After my first match, I instantly fell in love with the sport. Wrestling has not only given me a team to be a part of ,but it also has taught me very tough life lessons and changed my perspective on the way I live my life.” 

A very common saying in the wrestling community is a quote from Hall of Fame Coach Dan Gable:  “Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.”This saying is very relatable because wrestling is such a physically difficult sport that once it’s over you realize how easy everything else is. If you are looking not only for a sport, but also a community, and a family, wrestling might be the sport for you.