Redemption is a word that sums up the individual wrestling season for Freedom, as the team’s success was cut short at the team state competition after coming home without a trophy. As the individual portion of the season began, coach Jim Covert had some requirements to be able to participate as an individual.

“The rules weren’t too specific, but he said that if you were the starting wrestler in your weight class, then you could wrestle,” senior Joey Pail stated when asked about the standards for individual wrestlers.

The Bulldogs began individual practices to prepare for the regional tournament, where they would go to compete for a qualifying spot to move onto the PIAA state level.

“We don’t do anything much different at practices. They mostly are the same, but sometimes, we will also go to other schools to practice too, since there’s not many of us left by regionals,” sophomore Jake Pail stated when asked about different ways of preparing for the individual portion of the season.

The regional tournament was held at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The Freedom individuals were primed to compete. Out of all the of the wrestlers who competed for Freedom, only four moved onto the next level where they would compete at the state tournament.

The four wrestlers qualified to go to Hershey, Pennsylvania for the individual state competition. Junior Chase Komara, senior Kody Komara, senior Evan Sweesy and sophomore ZJ Ward represented Freedom on March 9-11 in Hershey.

The four wrestlers went into Hershey knowing that they had to fight for the medal. For seniors Komara and Sweesy, they knew this was their last time wrestling as Bulldogs, so they went out and made the most of it.

When the tournament was all said and done, the Bulldogs had accomplished what they had set out to do. Ward was two matches from placing. Chase Komara was one match from placing, Kody Komara took 3rd and Sweesy placed 4th.

“The experience was great but there was a lot going on in my head knowing it would be over after that match. I just went out there and gave it all I had because that was the last time I’ll ever wrestle,” Sweesy state when asked what it was like during his last match.

With the season coming to its end, the underclassmen stated that they plan to take on the leadership role. With senior captains Dean Ward, Komara and Sweesy being graduated next season, there is a needed demand for leaders.

“It was good to get a solid year like this under my belt so I know what to expect for next year. Me and chase plan on leading the team to be the best we can be,” sophomore ZJ Ward explained when asked about his outlook on the season and what he plans doing next season to better himself and the team.

For the Bulldog wrestling squad, the season was one that will be remembered. Returning juniors must take on the leadership role and take the momentum from this season and move onto the next.