Fresh off a state championship, senior captain DJ Coleman and the MN wrestling team are hungry for another successful season. As Thanksgiving approaches, The wrestling team prepares for the commencement of their season on Nov. 14 and wrestle-offs during Thanksgiving break.
MN wrestling has their first meet on Dec. 4 and the wrestlers are ready to get back out on the mats and repeat the significant success they had last year. In spite of graduating ten seniors, the wrestling squad has two of the three state medalist returning as well as the reigning state champion. With over 14 members on the varsity team and around 40 total wrestlers, the wrestling team hopes to continue the significant success they had last year through the leadership of their senior captain and state champion, DJ Coleman.
“As a captain, I have to step up and push these kids to a new level and make sure that everyone is working hard every day and giving it their absolute all,” Coleman said.
The wrestling team has prepared themselves physically and mentally for the impending season by completing countless hours of training in the off-season. Besides training four days a week, wrestlers are restricted to eating healthy. Smoothies, salads with chicken, and other healthy foods are consumed by wrestlers during the year in order to stay within their weight classes. Whether they are lifting weights, conditioning, or out on the mats, these athletes want to be at the acme of their wrestling game when the season begins.
This is the point in the year when many find wrestling the most difficult. Coleman can attest to the rigorous workouts that wrestlers must put in during the off-season.
“The training is definitely the hardest part of wrestling. A lot of people don’t realize the amount of time we spend in the rooms just working hard. It takes a lot of effort and mental toughness to stay on top, but you can’t expect things to be handed to you. You have to keep working hard for them and try to make yourself better every day,” Coleman said.
When we see wrestling matches, we only notice individuals wrestling each other, but wrestling is as much about team success as any other sport. Junior Brandon Eastlack values the importance of individual wrestling and how it helps the team overall.
“I love the one-on-one battle involved in wrestling. The excitement of coming out on top and winning a tournament is such a surreal feeling. It’s so gratifying to be an integral part in your team’s success,” said junior Brandon Eastlack.
Wrestling requires every member on the team to do everything they can to defeat their opponent and earn a higher score. Head varsity coach Scott Loveless constantly addresses the importance of cohesiveness and being a team.
“Day in and day out, you are pushing each other to get better. This creates a bond that is almost like a family or brotherhood. When competition rolls around it’s you out on the mat by yourself. Your training versus your opponent. How you perform individually affects the team’s score in a duel or tournament. They have their individual goals, but they also don’t want to let the team down,” Loveless said.
In wrestling, one must develop skills that will allow them to take their opponent down and at the same time defend against their opponent’s attempts. There are many different skills and techniques wrestlers have to learn to be successful in the neutral position, where both wrestlers are on their feet. They also have to be able to get away on bottom, while also developing skills on top to keep their opponents pinned down. Loveless highly regards both facets of a wrestler’s skillset.
“We talk about this on a regular basis. Most wrestlers are already extremely motivated and my job is to help them refine their skills and make sure they are mentally and physically ready to go by state duals in February,” Loveless said.
As the season nears, the MN wrestling team is craving another successful season and looks to produce more medalists and state champions.
“My experience with wrestling has been excellent. Our whole team is like a huge family and wrestling has really taught me the appreciation for hard work in both sports and school life.” sophomore Nikhil Gadgil said.