The Foran High School wrestling team is back at it. With almost 50 kids suiting up this year, they are ready to take on the competition.
Head wrestling coach Dave Esposito states, “We have been working hard. We have many returning players, state place wins and young talent. This year we are keeping with our traditions, we have good hard practices and we should be competing for the state championship again this year.”
The biggest change in wrestling is the involvement of girls. In Connecticut, wrestling is still a coed sport. Girls wrestling has taken off, it is one of the fastest growing sports in America for girls. The Foran wrestling team has five girls on the team this year.
The wrestling captains are chosen by their teammates. Esposito expresses, “I am very pleased with the captains this year. Senior Mason Hallstrom is a returning captain, fulfilling the captain role last year, so he brings much experience in that area to the team. Also captain Kelly Aspras is a great leaders and ready for their captain roles this season.”
Senior wrestling captain Mason Hallstrom states, “We look like we are going to have a great team this year. Everyone seems to want to be here and put in the work. I think the captains this year are going to elevate all the players to get better.”
This season, senior wrestling captain, two time state champion, runner up in New Englands, and high school All American Kelly Aspras has been named one of the wrestling team captains. K. Aspras is the first female wrestling captain in Foran history.
K. Aspras says, “It feels awesome to be named captain and I feel honored that the boys voted for me. With women’s wrestling becoming such a fast growing sport, I hope I am not the last.”
Coach Thomas Rashad, better known as Coach T, started coaching the wrestling team last year. He brings structure, discipline and a workout to the team. He started an off season Saturday morning workout routine for any wrestler looking to add something to their off season workout or just keep them in shape.
Coach T states, “You can’t have two, three, four months or even seven months off from wrestling so adding this off season workout for the guys and girls who are really dedicated is a good thing.”
Junior Antonios Aspras states, “I have been wrestling for three years here at Foran. We have a lot of people on the team this year, tight space in the room but we are working hard everyday. Joining the wrestling team makes you better at everything in life, builds athleticism and discipline, which can help you in all aspects of your life, not just athletics.”
Every year, the wrestling team chooses a service project for the team to support. The service project is chosen by the captains. This year the wrestling team has chosen Rach’s Hope, based out of Westport, Connecticut. This charity raises money to support families whose children are critically ill in the ICU (Critical Care Unit). The money raised helps families with hotel stays, rent, UberEats gift cards, transportation or any other financial support needed so the family can be with their ill child.
The wrestling team will be donating their time at some of the charity events this season and will be selling teal t-shirts in school. All money raised from the t-shirt sales will go back to the charity to support a great cause.
The team’s first home match is on January 10. This match will take place inside the Foran gym. The Lions will be facing off against Notre Dame West Haven.
