Why do I wrestle? It’s such a weird question to respond to; I get an adrenaline rush from this sport that is unlike any other.
Unlike most sports, wrestling is truly the most individual team sport out there. The one-on-one combat with an opponent makes wrestling a sport where it all rides on the athlete alone, without any assistance from others.
Many people don’t understand the basic rules of wrestling. Matches are divided into three different periods, each lasting two minutes. The first period starts in neutral, with both athletes standing and facing each other. After the first period, a coin is flipped, and the winner is faced with four options: top, bottom, neutral, and defer (which allows the opponent to choose).
Points are awarded for many different things. Takedowns are when you gain control of the opponent by having them lower to the mat while you have the advantage. Escapes happen when, after being taken down, you get up and return to neutral. Reversals occur when the opponent is in control and you reverse the control and gain it. Tilts occur when you get your opponent’s back in a 45-degree angle to the mat.
There are three ways to win a match. One method is to pin the opponent by putting both of their shoulders on the mat. A second method is to “tech fall” the opponent by having a 15-point lead at any time. The third method is having the most points when the time runs out.
The sport of wrestling is gaining traction, with a 25% increase in player count in America since the 2021-2022 season. A lot of that increase is happening by word of mouth, as wrestlers tell their friends about the sport. I joined the FCHS team after Conner Monfalcone told me I should try it, and I fell in love with the sport.
It’s not for everyone, as practices can be intense. Five-day-a-week practices, with Wednesday meets and Sunday tournaments, create a competitive schedule. So “resilience,” said junior Jordan Cambria, is key. But he adds, “I have gotten everything I put in, if not more, out of wrestling. It’s the best feeling after a win.”
Some Fluco wrestling athletes are reaching new heights this year. Under the guidance of Head Coach Craig Conner, senior Josh Green and junior Jonathan Gretz, the team captains, have been leading the team well. The example they set is amazing, as first-time wrestlers can look to them as great references for learning.
Other notable upperclassmen include senior Ryan Perez, who has had an outstanding season. At the annual Billy Wensel tournament, he went 5-0 and was awarded a medal in the 132-pound weight class.
While the winter season is ending soon, it’s never to late to get information on joining the team for 2026. For more information, see Coach Conner in Room 4204.
