An Optimistic Outlook on the Ring
Wrestling is hoping for a successful season with an influx of new players
By Katherine Rowe
Wrestling is hoping for a successful season with an influx of new players
By Katherine Rowe
After concerns of fewer players this season arose early on, the wrestling team’s advertisement to attract athletes paid off.
This year, they did not just bring more athletes to the team, but also drew in more female wrestlers than in years previous, with eight joining the team.
One of the team’s captains, R.J. Cho, 12, feels optimistic about this addition to the team, as it is quite an improvement from female participation in previous years, which was generally very low.
“We have a bunch of new girl wrestlers,” Cho said. “Typically we only have one or two on the team at a time but this year, we have around seven new girl wrestlers, which is really cool.”
However, another team captain, Chris Olivares, 11, feels that although the payoff from the advertisement is beneficial, it would be difficult to train the new players quickly.
“There are about 25 people on the wrestling team this year, which is a huge turnout since last year, when we only had about 15,” Olivares said. “We have a lot of first year wrestlers this year, so getting everyone up to the level we need them to be is going to be the biggest challenge.”
One first year player, Viviana Casas, 10, enjoys the team aspect of wrestling and is excited to participate in this season.
“I am looking forward to all the meets this season and the seasons to come,” Casas said. She also feels confident in the ability of the female wrestlers to be strong competitors and advance farther than the Blossom Valley Athletic League.
“Maybe for the girls we can make it to CCS,” Casas said.
The players feel that wrestling is special, since it also instills several life lessons alongside learning to compete.
“Wrestling is an amazing sport that not only teaches you how to defend yourself, but also teaches you important life skills,” Olivares said. “It teaches you to be disciplined in everything you do and to never give up when things start to get difficult.”
The wrestling team’s first league meet will be on Jan. 3 at home against Branham.
This year, they did not just bring more athletes to the team, but also drew in more female wrestlers than in years previous, with eight joining the team.
One of the team’s captains, R.J. Cho, 12, feels optimistic about this addition to the team, as it is quite an improvement from female participation in previous years, which was generally very low.
“We have a bunch of new girl wrestlers,” Cho said. “Typically we only have one or two on the team at a time but this year, we have around seven new girl wrestlers, which is really cool.”
However, another team captain, Chris Olivares, 11, feels that although the payoff from the advertisement is beneficial, it would be difficult to train the new players quickly.
“There are about 25 people on the wrestling team this year, which is a huge turnout since last year, when we only had about 15,” Olivares said. “We have a lot of first year wrestlers this year, so getting everyone up to the level we need them to be is going to be the biggest challenge.”
One first year player, Viviana Casas, 10, enjoys the team aspect of wrestling and is excited to participate in this season.
“I am looking forward to all the meets this season and the seasons to come,” Casas said. She also feels confident in the ability of the female wrestlers to be strong competitors and advance farther than the Blossom Valley Athletic League.
“Maybe for the girls we can make it to CCS,” Casas said.
The players feel that wrestling is special, since it also instills several life lessons alongside learning to compete.
“Wrestling is an amazing sport that not only teaches you how to defend yourself, but also teaches you important life skills,” Olivares said. “It teaches you to be disciplined in everything you do and to never give up when things start to get difficult.”
The wrestling team’s first league meet will be on Jan. 3 at home against Branham.