As the new wrestling season draws near, both the junior varsity and varsity teams are gearing up for an exciting year. With the wrestlers who graduated last spring, the team is looking for enthusiastic new members to join and help continue their strong performances. The upcoming season not only marks a transition for the team but also presents an opportunity for new talent to step in and carry the legacy forward.

One of the wrestlers, Yusuf Rahmani, shared his journey in wrestling, highlighting his initial motivation. 

“I wanted to be physically fit and play a sport,” said Rahmani. 

Rahmani started wrestling at the beginning of his freshman year at Athens Drive, inspired by a group of seniors who encouraged him to join. Since then, his passion for the sport has grown immensely, and he aims to become a state champion. 

“Getting better at something and making progress on myself makes me happy,” said Rahmani. 

Wrestling offers not just physical fitness but also valuable life skills, including discipline, resilience, and teamwork. With the departure of the senior class, the program is at a pivotal moment. It’s essential for underclassmen to step up and ensure that the tradition of excellence continues. In addition to seeking new members through personal outreach, the varsity wrestling team is actively promoting their program around the school. They have placed posters featuring QR codes throughout the campus, making it easy for interested students to learn more about the team.

“We’re going to start advertising it around the school, we’re going to have posters up around the school with QR codes, we’re also going to start hosting meetings,” said Rahmani.

The varsity team had a remarkable season last year, competing against six schools and emerging victorious. Yusuf described the team as “really well,” reflecting a strong sense of camaraderie and determination among the wrestlers. As the 12 seniors graduated, their legacy of success places a significant burden on the new recruits. 

“It’s gonna be challenging for the team because we’re gonna have to make up for all those missing spots and find more people to wrestle to gain that skill until their junior or senior year so we can be a strong team against the other schools,” said Rahmani.

To understand the team’s dynamics further, Coach Samuel Wenzel, who is heading into his fourth year with the wrestling team, explained his current goals for the team. His goals for the team are ambitious: “to become conference champions for the third consecutive year and maintain an undefeated record for the second year in a row.” Wenzel’s passion for coaching stems from the desire to impact lives deeply, using wrestling as a platform to teach life lessons.

“I want to provide every opportunity necessary for them to grow as wrestlers and people,” said Wenzel.

Wenzel believes that the key to achieving these goals lies in the team’s unwavering commitment. He appreciates the dedication shown by the wrestlers, which sets a strong foundation for success. However, with the graduation of 12 seniors, the team faces a crucial period of transition. Wenzel and the current members are eager to welcome new talent to fill the gaps left by the departing seniors.

“This would have an impact on the team because we’re going to have fewer wrestlers and fewer skills for the future,” said Rahmani.

As the wrestling program seeks new members, they emphasize the importance of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. 

“We need more people willing to commit and work hard,” said Rahmani.