Wrestling is one of the most physically demanding sports. It requires endurance, strength and most importantly, technique. The season is off to a strong start for the Bulldogs wrestling team. They began to prepare for both tournaments and match meets. As the colder months start to come around, the wrestlers begin preparing for the upcoming season.
The team started off their first tournament of the season, the Chartiers-Houston Invitational, on Dec. 1 and 2. During the tournament, senior Ryan Kredel placed first in his weight bracket. Some big accomplishments for new wrestlers followed; Kaden Millward, Kayden Braun, Thomas Henry and Brayden Reynolds achieved their first win of their high school career.
The team took on the Beaver Bobcats and Hopewell Vikings at Hopewell Area High School on Dec. 13. The team scored 52-14 against Beaver and 47-21 against Hopewell, making their overall record 2-0.
“My goal for this season is to mainly just get better as a team and focus on being more of a team, instead of just wrestling as individuals,” sophomore Charles Brenckle said.
With the team’s major accomplishments of making it to section championships and winning the section champion title last year ,he team works diligently during practices to defend their title. Although they fell short in the state rounds last season, that doesn’t stop the Bulldogs from trying to achieve a state title this season. The team ended the season with a record of 10-11, and their section record was 5-1.
“As a team I hope for us to make it to states since we were close last year, but as an individual I want to also make it to states and place there,” junior Gavyn McCray said.
Although losing three major seniors, those being Matthew Shultheis, Tanner Millward and Trenton McCray, the team gains a flock of new wrestlers: Kayden Braun, Kaden Millward, Thomas Henry, Brayden Reynolds, Riley Henry and Albert Greco. Since the team has conjoined with New Brighton and Rochester for wrestling, it allows high schoolers from their schools to join Freedom’s wrestling team.
“I am really excited to see the team come together and grow as a whole. I believe we have the foundation to do something special this year and in the near future. That transition begins now,” coach Ezekiel Stroupe said.
The wrestling team starts the season off strong, with practice and effort, they are on their way to the section championships.