With many unanswered questions about the wrestling season, the team is putting in countless hours of hard work to get a season and to make the best out of it.  

     They are looking to have another winning season returning as Class M State Champions, led by Head Coach David Esposito, senior captain Ethan Edmonson, and junior captain Kyle Pokornowski.

     Both captains are working together to make sure everyone is following safety guidelines while preparing for the season.  Although it is difficult to do this, it can be prevented if people are responsible.

     Coach Esposito says,  “It has been challenging to prepare.  As a coach, I am trying to be creative in planning practices, creating small groups, etc in anticipation of a season.”  He has set expectations of his team whether they prepare on their own, wrestle for other clubs, or stay in shape.

     Coach Esposito, staying positive, says he will make the best out of whatever situation arises. He says, one of the most important things that athletes learn from sports is how to respond from adversity.” Which is how he is using this epidemic, as a learning tool.  

     He thinks, if the season permits, that “it will be of great benefit to the student-athletes in the long run.”  He adds, “I think the team that can handle the stress and the challenges the best will have a great advantage over the other teams.”  Staying as motivated as possible even through the midst of adversity, the team hopes they have the opportunity  to compete this season.

     The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) committee is looking for ways to lower risk and allow wrestling this winter.  They planned on starting the wrestling season November 21,  alongside the  rest of the winter sports, but this recently got pushed back. They all announced that in order to qualify for the state tournament, wrestling teams would have to play at least 7 out of their 14 meets.  

     Senior captain Ethan Edmondson  is ready for the season to begin. With all the safety protocols in place, Edmondson said, “We are trying to treat this season no different from any other. We’re trying to get people excited and keep a positive attitude about whether or not our season will take place, but we are preparing as if there will be one.” Edmondson has tried to keep morale high during an uncertain season, exactly as a captain should.

     Of course going to a state tournament would be great, but that is not their main goal this season. Edmondson said, “Our goal is to become better student athletes by learning discipline and bettering ourselves physically and mentally.” This allows the lessons that they learn in the sport to carry beyond the wrestling room.

     The team will continue to work and condition throughout the month to prepare in hopes of a winter season. If the CIAC approves, they want to make sure that they are prepared. After graduating many seniors last year, the team has returning wrestlers who all have a significant role on the team. Coach Esposito says they have the same goal every year,  which is to “Work. Compete. Believe.  If we do that we will win a state championship again.”