The Monticello High School boys wrestling team is right at the start of their 2023-24 season! The team is returning a lot of wrestlers and a lot of experience this season, which is reason for a hopeful campaign!
“I have a good feeling about this season. We have a lot of returning wrestlers who have contributed a lot to the team and some good underclassmen,” said junior Russ Brown, who has been on varsity for 2 years and is now a leader for the team. “Our team has been working hard this offseason to prepare ourselves for this upcoming season.”
The wrestlers are a close group, composed of 25 boys and girls practicing in a single small room across from the weight room everyday after school. They have added some new freshmen, as well as new upperclassmen giving the sport a try. The team has bonded well so far, getting close together and holding each other up.
“I feel like as a team we have got to be there for one another and picking each other up while holding ourselves accountable. As a team we have a lot of potential and hold hopes of making it to state for some wrestlers,” stated sophomore Drake Weeks.
Leadership in any good team comes from experience, and this year it seems the seniors are stepping up for the team and taking on leadership roles. “Our team has great leadership from our seniors and encourages each other to work hard in practice. The effort being put in every practice really pays off and as a team we’re ready to win this season,” Brown stated.
Team effort is as important as anything, but you can’t be good without putting in the work yourself. “I feel super good coming into this season and that as a team and individually, there will be success. I worked a lot over the summer to improve my skills, and lifting for football helps a lot as well,” Weeks said, visibly excited at the idea of being back on the mat.
The wrestling team started their season with a road match in Taylorville, facing off against LSA, Clinton, and Taylorville on November 30th. They have a total of 20 matches before individual and team playoffs. Their first home match of the year is January 18th in Sievers Center, followed by 2 more home matches right before playoffs.
Brady Ball, Staff Writer
balbr26@sages.us
The Sage Informer 
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