As we swing into the winter season, the UC High Wrestling Team is ready to toss aside all competitors on their road to victory.

   Many wrestlers have been training all of their off season to prepare, and have a clear idea of where they seek to improve. “It was a lot of recovery to make sure all the muscles are ready and a lot of weightlifting, a lot of running. I trained a lot in the weight room,” said Senior Captain Alexander Lin.

   Lin added, “Overall, I think this year I’m just looking to have fun and use more flashy moves. Last year, I felt like I took the sport too seriously, and it became more of a job than an actual sport. This year, I’m just gonna try to have fun with it and enjoy my last year of wrestling.” 

  Senior Captain Christian Legler added, “I’ve just been going at it year-round. I only took two weeks off for a break and then after that, it was right back to the gym, running, and wrestling. I think the big improvement I have to work on is adapting to a new weight class this season.”

   The UC High Wrestling Team has trained continuously to construct new skills in order to take down their opponents this season. Head Wrestling Coach and History Teacher Eduardo Hernandez said, “Right now we are setting up the foundation of the moves and getting everybody in shape. I’m really focusing more this year on scoring points, having fun, and implementing a plan. 

   Both Lin and Legler seek to go further than ever for their final season. Legler said, “My goal for this season is to ‘three-peat’ for League and City Conference, and win it all.” Lin said, “My goal is to win the city tournament this year and make the finals of CIF and of course, come out the winner.”

   “I’m hoping that every single time the wrestlers go out there to wrestle that they’re gonna be their best. There should be no doubt about how good they are, so making sure that they’re confident is important… Our goal is to go into the CIF and League tournaments and be ready to be dialed up to dominate. Our regular season matches are just pre-season matches for us,” said Hernandez.

   Wrestling is not only a great way to learn to defend yourself, but it also develops technique, endurance, strength, and stamina, as well as mental skills such as dedication, discipline, and control. Alongside these attributes, the athletes also build friendships and feel like a family.

   Senior Girls Wrestling Captain Kylee Park said, “The environment with the whole team is very family-like, because we support each other and we are there for one another, especially our coach. We tell each other everything. There are no boundaries.”

  Wrestling has a lot of great attributes, But it is also something more, because of how it impacts a determined athlete’s everyday life. “Wrestling is a sport, but if you actually do it long enough, you start to realize it’s more of a lifestyle. Wrestling impacts everything you do from your eating habits to your sleeping habits. You have to make sure everything’s on point so when it comes time to perform you’re ready,” said Legler.

   “I like wrestling so much because it helps me stay in shape and it makes me happy. If I’m having a bad day, I just go to practice, wrestle it out with someone, and it makes it better,” said Park.