Wrestling is more than pins and points

By Bryce Milburn 

Sports Editor

Travonte Boyd pins Kankakee opponent. Photo by Bryce Milburn.

The Warrior wrestling teams' season is coming to an end, with them having just finished up their sectionals. 

Junior Dominic Jackson finished the season with a 30-1 record and qualified for state.

“This was the best wrestling season I've had here,” Jackson said. Dominic has wrestled for three seasons and is a multi-sport athlete playing football, wrestling, and shot put.

”This season has gone pretty well. I have improved so much from last year,” sophomore wrestler Angel Mojica said.

The wrestling team is young, with zero seniors on the squad. “There is a lot of improvement for growth and development from the team,“Junior Trevon Williams said. 

Wrestling is considered one of the hardest sports in high school because students have to maintain their weight, balance, practice, schoolwork and overall mental health. If the wrestler doesn't maintain their weight, then they won't be able to wrestle at the usual weight class or against their usual opponent. 

”The way I maintain and balance everything is by having a moment of peace and taking free time off and getting my mind together,” Williams said.

“Sometimes people put too much stress on themselves. I don't put too much pressure on myself and deal with one thing at a time, but school always comes first,” Jackson added.

Although wrestling season adds a lot of stress to students, it can also teach them life lessons.

“Wrestling the last two seasons has taught me how to be mentally tough and have a good and coachable mindset,” Angel said. Williams added that wrestling helps with life and keeps students disciplined, motivated, and in shape.

“We had the most team energy against Kankakee, and we usually have a good high energy. It's a little split; everyone has their own little groups, but our team chemistry is good,“ Jackson said.

With a young team, the players have things they need to improve on as a team and individually. “Next season, guys need to be there and get ready to get to work. And have the mentality that no one can beat us. And stop beating ourselves up,” Williams said.  “We need to stay more focused and not mess around and take things seriously,” Williams said.

This wrestling season, there are a lot of good things to come out of it. The team had four wrestlers qualify for regionals, four all-conference selections, and four sectional selections. The coaching staff is full of energy, experience, and knowledge for the players. They have a young group of inspired and motivated players for a bright future.