“It’s a very close family,” said captain Sam Jacobs of the wrestling team. Despite the sport’s individual aspects, Sam likened his teammates to brothers. 

According to captain Max Formaini, this year’s season has seen no broken records, but individual improvement has been abundant.

Seniors Nathan Dewitt, Martin Jocaille, Kolby Craig, Nathon Nowikowski (Apollo), and Aric Learn (Cyberschool) join the captains and junior Alec Formaini on the team. 

Sam, Max, and Alec mentioned that some of their favorite moments from wrestling have included tournaments and the hotels and meals that accompany them. They also noted their recent close win against Plum, where Armstrong was predicted to lose. 

Wrestling seasons are notoriously long, and towards the end of each one, the focus shifts from team-based to individual-based competition. The captains explained that the top five or so wrestlers from the team will advance to WPIALs. 

They identified Caleb Kinzey, Phillip Rearick, Tay Bradshaw, and themselves as the current top wrestlers. 

Sam, Max, and Alec said that they enjoy the competitiveness and team aspects of wrestling as well as the opportunities they get to interact with their teammates. 

While there are plentiful opportunities for wrestlers to enjoy themselves, conditioning is one of the most difficult aspects of the sport. Wrestlers have to develop their strength both physically and mentally to succeed. 

Only thirteen wrestlers are allowed on the team, and for there to be balance, each one must fit into a  different weight class. 

Alec said that wrestling has encouraged him to be in the best shape of his life and that after graduation, it will be difficult to maintain that shape. 

The boys have been wrestling together since kindergarten, where they participated in a youth program that Sam’s dad assisted with. They said the rest of the team joined the youth program, too, and their connection has only grown stronger with age. 

Both Max and Alec said they do not plan to wrestle in college if they decide to go. Sam, who plans to attend a flight school, will also not continue wrestling. 

The three juniors look forward to their senior year and anticipate a great season. They did acknowledge a lack of junior high wrestlers, but the underclassmen currently on the team are fit to succeed.

“Next year is our year to do something,” said Sam. 

Alec spoke for the trio and offered advice to the underclassmen. “Hang in there, keep wrestling,” he said. “Discipline is the biggest thing. If you keep working hard, you're going to see success, and success makes it more fun.”