Coming off an undefeated season last year in the NJAC, the wrestling dodgers are working just as hard this year, and “expecting a similar outcome,” according to senior Hendrix Farrell. Also, there are a lot of new wrestlers this year. To prepare the new wrestlers, the team has been practicing more basic moves to get everyone into the swing of things.
“It all started as a joke,” Senior Avery Hines explains when asked why she joined the wrestling team. Her teammate John Artistizabel joked that she should join the team, and after much consideration, Avery decided to join. Being the only girl on her team and also a first-time wrestler, she expressed that she felt very nervous, but “the seniors last year were very welcoming and wanted to see everyone get better.” The wrestling dodgers are very supportive of each other and always want to see their teammates be the best wrestlers they can be.
Before each match, the team holds an hour-long practice where they walk through what they’ve been practicing that week to prepare themselves mentally. Also, as a ritual to get ready for their matches, the team huddles up and starts “banging their hands on the middle of the mat to hype each other up,” senior Jack McCaffery states. This school spirit carries outside the school walls as many of the wrestlers hang out after practice getting food, and doing typical team bonding activities. The wrestling team has created a strong relationship with one another which contributes to their wins on the mat.
Overall, the wrestling dodgers have been prepping for their 2023-2024 season, and are expecting to be better than ever before; dedicating much time in and out of practice to prepare themselves for this season. They open up their 2023-2024 season on December 15th against Whippany Park.