As the wrestling season comes to a close, the team is one year closer to capitalizing on the wealth of youth they possess. The wrestling team managed to advance to the postseason, despite its small size. From the beginning of the season, the wrestling team focused on committing themselves fully to the season that lay ahead of them.

Despite the fact that there are no cuts, the wrestling team numbers only twenty-one, a number which pales in comparison to the more substantial numbers of other schools. Lozano said, “It’s a tough sport. People who’ve never tried it before don’t realize how much tougher it is than most sports.”

Of the twenty-one wrestlers on the team, the vast majority of them are freshmen and sophomores. “The youth of our team is a strength,” said sophomore Jin Lee. “They’re still developing, but the people are committed and dedicated to wrestling.”

According to sophomore Matt Healy, commitment remains critical towards going far in wrestling. “About half the people are gone from wrestling after only the first few days. It remains important to be fully committed to wrestling.”

Lozano was of virtually the same opinion. “Things have changed,” said Lozano. “There are so many different opportunities and distractions today, like video games. But it’s a mental and physical combination that leads to success. You never really fail until you stop trying.”

Because of the small size of the wrestling team, both the varsity and JV teams practice together. From what Lozano has observed, the team interacts well from practicing together. “It’s not a matter of varsity-JV. The upperclassmen mentor the freshmen and sophomores and the kids are finding the benefit of hard work. Wrestling is a good release mentally, and the new wrestlers that have made a commitment to go through are seeing the benefits of their effort.”

Aside from the rigorous training of the regular season, weightlifting and conditioning are also required. During practice, the wrestlers typically run, engage in calisthenics, and do drills. Wrestlers work out in the weight room and exercise to stay in shape during the off-season.

The league finals take place this weekend, on Feb. 8 and 9.