The RM wrestling team had a historic season, after having a regular season where they had one of their best records to date. They went on to win their first regional title in the schools history. Something that the athletes feel are a reflection of their hard work.
Senior Benji Wong described a typical practice as a steady progression of intensity. “The practices start with warmup, then drills, then we go live and end with conditioning,” Wong said.
Sophomore Mateo Giaudrone, who wrestles at 120 pounds, said the sessions are some of the most challenging workouts offered at RM. “They are very hard. It is a lot of live wrestling and just like on the feet drilling,” Giaudrone said. “There is a lot of sweating involved because you are trying to cut that extra weight.” Conditioning continues even when school is closed for weather or breaks, because a lot of it also comes from the work put in at home.
The team uses competitive games to sharpen technique. Giaudrone pointed to foot tag, a drill where wrestlers try to tap an opponent’s foot to improve balance and stance. Wong said success requires habits that extend outside practice. “Eating healthy, getting enough sleep and stretching,” Wong said.
Giaudrone emphasized the discipline behind weight management, noting that many students don’t know how to approach it. “If you are cutting weight you have to maintain how you are eating or how you are drinking,” Giaudrone said. “The hardest part about the sport is sitting around and being around other people who eat and then you have to force yourself to not do that and stay disciplined.”
Although wrestling is often viewed as an individual sport, both athletes said RM’s program relies heavily on teamwork. “During practice teammates will help each other out with moves to improve and during matches they give advice and push each other to do their best,” Wong said.
Wong mentioned that the group has strong chemistry. “Everyone on the team is pretty close and it is a good group of kids,” Wong said. Giaudrone agreed and said the captains play a major role in keeping the team connected. “Everyone is always trying to help other people out,” Giaudrone said. “We wrestle as a team for dual meets so everyone stays involved. The captains especially keep everyone included.”
Giaudrone also credited the coaching staff for maintaining a positive environment. “He is a great coach,” Giaudrone said of RM’s head coach. “He used to wrestle here. I think he went to states when he was a senior so he already knows the aspects of RM wrestling.”
Going into their last five or six meets left, both wrestlers had clear goals. Wong hopes to finish his senior year with a strong postseason run. “My goal is to place at states this year and win the rest of our dual meets,” he said. Giaudrone kept his answer simple. “Win.” Which the team did, taking home their first regional title in RM wrestling history.
Mentality played a big part in their success, both athletes said wrestling requires a strong mindset. Giaudrone described mentality as a major factor in performance. “Your mentality dictates like 50 percent on how good you wrestle,” Giaudrone said. “If you have a lower mentality you are never going to get anywhere.”
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