Success came to the wrestling team when they faced off against Hillcrest on November 27th, a match that marked a significant moment for both the athletes and their coach. Following this, the team participated in a tournament against Bloomington, but despite technically securing a win due to a forfeit, the team was far from satisfied with the outcome.
The head coach expressed his thoughts on the situation, emphasizing that while a forfeit might be seen as a win, it didn’t provide the team with the valuable competition they were seeking.
“Ultimately, that’s what I was happy about. Technically, we did win through forfeit, but that’s different from what it was about. It was about getting the experience.” –Sal Duran stated.
The wrestling team has had the opportunity to compete against a variety of schools, including Ayala, Heritage, Great Oak, Hillcrest, and many others in competitive tournaments. While the team may not have emerged victorious in every duel, the focus has always been on gaining experience, developing skills, and preparing for future challenges.
“Aside from Bloomington, the Hillcrest duels we’ve been going to have been a great experience for us. We’ve been able to compete against schools that provide great competition, and even though we may not win all of them, as a coach, I’m just there for the experience. Our wrestlers are getting a lot of great experience that will help them grow as athletes.” – Sal Duran said.
While the coach emphasized the importance of experience over immediate victories, the captain, Nolan Montelongo, had his own perspective on the team’s development and areas for improvement. As a captain, Montelongo has closely observed his teammates’ performance, particularly areas where they are still evolving. When asked about the team’s strengths and weaknesses, he was candid in his assessment.
“One thing our coach says a lot is that we need to find where our legs are, it’s about remembering where your legs are in the match—too often, opponents are getting to our legs too fast and too easily, leading to take downs and losses. We need to focus on defending ourselves better in that area.” Montelongo shared.
However, Montelongo was also quick to highlight some key areas where the team has shown notable improvement. “What I’ve noticed is that we’ve been getting more aggressive,” he continued. “We’re getting into hand fighting and working to dominate the opponent. That’s something we’ve been doing really well, and it’s showing in our overall performance.”
The team’s improvement is not only evident in their growing competitiveness but also in the chemistry they’re developing both on and off the mat. “We have some excellent first-year wrestlers who have been showing a lot of promise,” Montelongo added. “Their growth has been impressive, and I’m excited to see what they’ll accomplish as the season continues.”
As the season progresses, the team remains focused on honing their skills, learning from each match, and pushing themselves to perform better with every opportunity. Whether it’s through hands-on experience or the drive to perfect their technique, the team is steadily moving forward, eager to take on the challenges that lie ahead.