On Jan. 23, the Issaquah High School boys’ wrestling team had their senior night wrestling match. The match was exceptionally outstanding as the outcomes favored Issaquah. However, what is not seen behind the scenes of this intense sport is the amount of training athletes complete to get to this point in their wrestling careers. Sophomore Brycen True states, “I come home at about 8:30 and then do my homework. I am always exhausted, and I put lots of effort into the training I do.” This effort is not for naught, as these athletes performed to the absolute best of their abilities and excelled while doing so.
The crowd was tense as huddled masses waited for the matches to occur. Wrestlers began to get weighed and assigned to their weight classes. Another overlooked aspect of wrestling is the diet that wrestlers follow to qualify for their category. Senior Ignacio Garcia states, “I restrict my eating before matches because I do not ever want to change weight classes at the last minute.” This tedious self-control is something that wrestlers must possess as their extreme training and diet regulation require heavy amounts of discipline. While some assume wrestling is nothing more than throwing people on the ground, it sets rules and moves that make a wrestler as great as they are. Garcia adds, “A main goal for me this wrestling season is to improve not just my performance but also my moves and get less sloppy in the way I execute them.” All in all, wrestling is intensely complex and trying, and this does not show in the 10 minutes that a weight class match goes on.
Garcia’s 175-pound wrestling class started, and the tension in the crowd was palpable. Immediately, the two players seek control as they try to get the other man to move to get a shot in. Luckily, Garcia was able to gain control and have his opponent in a tight headlock. His moves could be described as superhuman as he weaved and pinned his opponent down. The cheers and screams for Garcia were a pleasant surprise as the support he received from the crowd was overwhelming. Despite the opponent rolling and grabbing Garcia’s head, his recovery was astonishing as he overtook him and kept him pinned down. The crowd screamsed as the opponent was stuck on his back, and with this, the 175-pound weight class concluded. With amazing and calculated moves, Garcia won this match.
Several factors aided this talented team’s victory. However, Coach Rick Campos states, “Our team is unique as their support for each other extends the regular old teamwork seen in other schools. We hold this support and compassion for each other that is rare to come by.” No matter who is on the mat, fighting for their school, the crowd and the team work to cheer and encourage their athletes. This type of compassion and encouragement is rare in such a competitive sport and shows just how meaningful and strong the athletes are at Issaquah High School.
