Although Punxsutawney Phil has declared the six extra weeks of the winter season, the team’s wrestling season has since concluded. Like all teams at FHS, its goal from the start of the season was to make playoffs.
“The team is happy to have been as successful as we were and have our hard work pay off,” Senior Lane Ward said. They did accomplish their goal of making playoffs; however, they were not entirely ecstatic.
“Despite not making it far in the playoffs, I think our team did exceptionally well because we fought hard in every match,” Freshman Kody Komara said.
Although they may have lost the playoffs, they did have a winning season. This constitutes winning the majority of their matches with a final team record of 5-3.
The team’s season may be over, but the individual season began earlier this month. This part of the season is focused more on personal ability and not team power. It is structured similar to numerous playoff matches based on weight class; once you lose, you are out.
Freshmen Dean Ward and Komara advance to compete Feb.28 in the PIAA Southwest Regional Tournament.
In addition to the boys leaving playoffs, there are four seniors who won’t be returning next season.
“[The seniors] are a lot of fun and good leaders. They have taught us a lot and it won’t be the same without them next year…we had a sleepover which was so much fun since it’s always great when you can spend some extra time with the team,” Freshman Evan Sweezy said.
Though there may not be any senior wrestlers on the team next year, they are still hopeful for a good season.
“I definitely think in the next few years our team will be one of the best. We have both quantity and quality wrestlers moving up next year. We’ll be back in playoffs for sure. Not many teams make it into playoffs [but] we’re one of them,” Sophomore Levi Bonzo said.
After most matches this season, the boys celebrated, whether a win or loss, at Sheetz.
“It’s tradition for us to go out to eat after a match, usually to Chinese or Sheetz, to just relax and have some fun,” Bonzo said.
To officially mark the end of the season, they will celebrate with an informal banquet of pizza, wings and ice cream at the end of March when WPIALs will have concluded.