The Sage Informer

With just a few days to prepare for the upcoming wrestling season, the wrestlers are working hard at practice getting ready to compete.

The team has many goals for the season, both mentally and physically. Junior Luke Andruczyk is a returning member that has been competing since his young years. He expressed, “My goals for the upcoming season are to become my best self and put in the most effort I can to foreshadow a good season. I also want to help develop team success this year.” Andruczyk is coming back from a collarbone injury from last season, and is hoping to show improvement from being out for eight weeks. 

The wrestling team has many other returning members, and even more new members. Junior Liza Bodine was asked what advice she would give a new wrestler, being a second year member and the only female on Monticello’s wrestling team. She said, “It may seem very intimidating worrying about other people getting the wrong impression of you in the beginning when there aren’t many females who wrestle in general, let alone one on our team, but nobody really cares as much as you think. As time goes by, you’ll get comfortable with the sport and the team, and it’s definitely worth it if you’ve been contemplating it for those reasons.” 

Bodine was also asked what it was like to be the only female on the team, and she communicated that all of her male teammates and coaches are very respectful and fair with practices and meets. She also expressed how much respect she has for her coaches for teaching her everything she knows today.

Similarly, a common theme amongst the wrestlers is that everyone is very respectful when representing MHS at different school events, or even at their own school events, as well as to their peers or coaches. Since there are only 2 home wrestling meets this year, that is a crucial trait.

Freshman Clay Blickenstaff shared how he loves bus rides to different school events. He said it’s his favorite time to spend with his teammates. Blickenstaff also expressed how he is wanting to achieve a winning record for his first year of high school wrestling. 

To attain a winning record, wrestlers have to keep a good mindset. Andruczyk said, “Having a good mindset gives you confidence.” Confidence is key for good performance, and all  team members have been working on building both their confidence and overall positive mindset in order to achieve their end goals this season.

The wrestlers are planning to come back stronger than ever for a great season to look back on in the future, hoping to win many duels as a team. 

Maddy Greene, Staff Writer 

grema28@sages.us