As the winter season swings to a start, the players for the UC High Co-Ed Varsity Wrestling Team brace themselves for an explosive performance. With two tournaments under their belt, including a first place win for Junior Ani Gore, the team is ready for more action.
Junior Leif Andersen commented on their teamwork. He said, “Right now I think we have a pretty great team dynamic. We’re a tight-knit group, and I think that helps a lot with pushing each other further, because we’re able to be honest with each other and go through all of this difficult training while enjoying each other’s company. We all want to help each other succeed.”
Team Captain Senior Michael Cantor added, “I believe most of our teammates excel at listening and being a part of the team. More than that, though, they’re good at supporting each other through the ups and downs.”
Andersen said, “I think as a team, we are strongest in terms of our technique. With wrestling, most of the time it’s the simplest techniques that work best, and we have coaches that emphasize that and teach with that philosophy in mind. I’ve been doing my best to work on technique, but I think I have more strength than I do technicality.”
Fortunately, wrestling at UC High is extremely welcoming to newcomers. Cantor stated, “There’s no requirement for joining wrestling. Of course, there is training, but there are no tryouts so you can come in at any level and we’ll get you started. Just come in and wrestle and see where you go. You can do it just for fun or you can compete in it.”
Junior Hannah Cook added, “Mostly, we’re learning how to fine-touch our moves, on top of some of the standard things like conditioning through running and moving in general.”
Cantor said, “One of my favorite aspects of the sport is that feeling you get after winning a match. It makes all the effort you put in really worth it. That feeling you get when you take first and get to stand on that podium is euphoric. There’s truly nothing else like it.”
When it comes to the mindset, Cantor said, “I find the sport very physically demanding, but I also find the sport very, very mentally challenging. You definitely have to have a good mentality when wrestling, almost blocking out your emotions and just going full-blown during matches.”
Cook said, “Sometimes the sport is tougher mentally, and sometimes it’s tougher physically. When you’re on the mat, it’s mostly physical, but then you can mentally degrade yourself while you’re wrestling and second-guess your moves, which can hold you back and even be what costs you a win.”
Cantor said, “Our practices are usually two hours long with a twenty-minute warmup, about an hour of drilling certain moves and then a thirty-minute session where we go wrestle live. In the sport, injuries are very common. I think I’ve been injured every season I’ve wrestled so far.”
Anderson explained, “Injuries do happen more often than in other sports, yes, but usually it’s the result of poor sportsmanship or a technical error. There are rules in place, techniques taught, and referees in the ring that prevent illegal moves and keep the wrestlers as safe as possible.”
Cantor stated, “I’m feeling pretty confident about this season. I think we have a good chance of doing well against other teams. I’m not sure if we’ll win the League, but we’re definitely placing high.”
Andersen said, “I want to set a good example and inspire my teammates. I want to be someone that they can look up to. Competition-wise, my goal is to be the Division 3 CIF Champion in the 165-pound weight class…. I feel pretty confident, excited even. I’ve been training hard for months, and I’m ready to compete.”
Andersen added, “Anyone can wrestle! Everyone is welcome! We need people and we’d love to have you. Wrestling is a great way to get into shape and learn self-defense. If you’re interested, talk to me or come by the activity room next to the beach volleyball courts after school on Monday or Wednesday.”