State Bound
(How you’re preparing)
Hamilton Wrestling has had an amazing season this year and had many achievements throughout the season. Even though we couldn’t make it to Team State, we still had many dominant wrestlers make it to Individual State and get to continue their season.
We wish them the best of luck and hope that they compete the way they want to and finish off their season strong, whether that’s becoming a State placer or even a State Champion.
“Hamilton had eight wrestlers compete in individual regionals over the weekend. Six wrestlers placed in the top four of their respective weight class and advanced to the individual State Championships. This is the most state qualifiers Hamilton has had in many years” (Trent Holyfield).
The wrestlers have been working hard for this moment, and they have been training at Grand Valley University to prepare themself for State and be ready for the moment they’ve been waiting for all season.
“My mindset is pretty positive. I’m excited to have one final opportunity to compete for Hamilton, and I am confident in my abilities.” […] “I have been training for state ever since the state tournament ended last year, so not much is changing. I’m just trying to stay consistent” […] “My pre-match routine is to pray and focus on the process of the match. I usually pace back and forth right before the match starts” […] “My teammates have helped me a ton by being great practice partners. My coaches have encouraged me, helped me learn more techniques, and helped me focus on what I need to work on. My family and friends have helped a ton by supporting and encouraging me” (Malachi Kapenga).
“My mindset going into State is to just treat every match the same way; no match is bigger than the other gotta wrestle the same every time.
We are training for State by going up to Grandville to practice with some of the best kids in the State” […] “My pre-match routine is to just bounce around and talk to my friends to relieve some stress before my matches.” […] “My coach and others have helped me prepare for this moment by getting me in better shape and getting myself to a good spot mentally” (Bryce Morrison).
“My mindset going into to state is that I have accomplished everything I want to this year, but I shouldn’t settle and try to do my best and most importantly have fun” […] “I am training for this by going to practice every day and going to extra practice on the weekends.” […] “My pre-match routine is just to walk and bounce and not talk to people” […] “My coaches and others have helped me in a lot of ways my coaches have mainly helped me with technique whether it’s my coaches in our high school or my club coaches they all help me improve my technique and my dad has helped me mentally prepare for every match and make sure I am in the right head space to wrestle as well as my mom who has helped me with nutrition all year long” (Chase Morrison).
“My mindset going into State is to be humble and get mentally ready” […] “We’ve been keeping it lighter for practice to decrease the risk of injury, and we’ve been going to Grandville practices” […] “I don’t really have a pre-match routine.” […] “Teaching me new techniques and showing me better ways to wrestle” (Tyler Block).
“As I was going into State last year, I was just happy to make it, but this year, I feel a lot more focused on competing my best and going for the state title” […] “I’m doing most of the stuff that got me to this point, but most importantly, I keep my body healthy and in tune” […] “I keep my body warm by bouncing and walking back and forth.” […] “Throughout the season, the coach has helped me fix the small details I’ve been lacking in my technique, and it’s helped me a lot to get to this point” (Jake Chase).
The wrestlers like to bounce around before their match to keep warm, and they like to find things to keep them calm before they have their match. Some wrestlers like to talk to others to keep themselves relaxed, and others like to stay quiet and try to focus on themselves before they have their match. In the end, they try to stay relaxed and calm before a big match.
Before their match, the wrestlers have their own routines on how to get physically and mentally prepared. Many like to go through warm-up routines like drills, takedowns, and getting their heart rate up to prepare them and to make sure they’re ready to compete at full intensity.
Hamilton wrestling has had a great season and has sent many wrestlers to State this year. Some previous placers have made it, and some wrestlers who have never made it got to go for their first year. Qualifying for this moment is a serious athletic dedication to the sport, with perseverance and countless hours of training. The success these wrestlers had to go through is very impressive because of how much effort that has been put into it. For many wrestlers, reaching State is not just a milestone but a big step toward something greater.