Wrestling is a sport unlike any other sport, boys varsity wrestling coach Roberto Clemente said. The word wrestling is exactly what you do, he added.
It’s basically a fight, Clemente said. It’s a full-contact combat sport, so you’re learning how to battle it out, wrestling another kid, he added.
“I think that’s the biggest challenge, learning how to wrestle,” Clemente said. “Wrestling is in itself the ultimate challenge.”
Senior Collin Bui believes mentality and confidence are half of what there is to wrestling, he said.
“There’s good technique in learning how to wrestle, but I think confidence is probably the most important, because on the mat, it’s just you and your opponent,” Bui said. “If you can’t get past yourself, you can’t get past your opponent.”
The team has been performing much better in recent seasons, Bui said.
“Last season we had 13 out of 14 of our wrestlers go to CCS (Central Coast Section), and I’m pretty sure this season we’ll have all of our varsity lineup go to CCS,” Bui said.
The team has more underclassmen this year, but an overall improved and m team than last year, Clemente said.
“Last year, we had a couple of peaks where we had a couple of ‘close to an upper level’ kids, but this year, I feel like as an overall whole program, we are a little better than what we were last year,” Clemente said.
Wrestling has created deep bonds between the students on the team, senior Pratham Gajjar said. It also teaches discipline, he added.
“It creates connections with your schoolmates and helps you out in the real world,” Gajjar said. “You have a support system you can rely on.” After all the tournaments the team participates in, they go out to eat, Bui said.
“That’s the best part of wrestling, hanging out with your friends and talking over dinner
after the tournament.”
Gajjar is sad he is leaving behind the underclassmen, but he is proud of their growth, he said.
“I really appreciate them being so nice and supportive,” Gajjar said.
