Why more students should join the Hamilton Boys Varsity Wrestling team
By: Carter Ruzicka
At Hamilton High School, the Hamilton Varsity Boys Wrestling team always proves that wrestling is more than just a sport. It’s a bigger idea with strength, focus, and improvement. While some students may overlook the sport of wrestling, those who step onto the mat. learn that it teaches lessons that go even far beyond high school. Watching this team compete clearly states: more students should give wrestling a try.
One of the biggest things wrestling builds is mental toughness. Unlike many other sports, wrestlers compete one-on-one. There are no subs that go in and out and you can’t rely on someone else. When the whistle blows, it’s just you and your opponent. That kind of pressure teaches all the athletes how to stay calm and push through challenges.
“I stay mentally strong by remaining positive and keeping my goals in mind.” As one Hamilton wrestler, Bryce Morrison shared. Moments like these show how wrestling forces athletes to grow stronger mentally every single match.
Even though wrestling is completely an individual sport when it comes to performance, the team at Hamilton is overall successful. During meets, teammates always line up on the edge of the mat, cheer loud and support each other. In practice, they push each other to keep improving every day.
The friendships that the wrestlers have are important. “You need someone by your side, whether it be during hard practices, tough loses or big wins. It feels good to know you’re not alone in it. When my teammates are cheering me on I feel like I have to perform for them… a lot of these younger kids look up to me, and I gotta show them what hard work does.” Junior Weston Geerlings explained. That kind of support is one reason the program continues to succeed after all these years.
Wrestling also builds up character. Athletes must balance schoolwork, practices, meets, and tournaments, all while staying disciplined and focused. It takes responsibility and commitment to compete at the varsity level. “Wrestling has taught me so much discipline in my life because, through wrestling, I have learned that working hard and being intentional pays off in everyday life, so now, because of wrestling, I work hard in every aspect of my life and take pride in everything I do, which helps a lot with things like schoolwork.” Chase Morrison says putting it in best words. Having that mindset carries over into the classroom and everyday life.
The Hamilton Varsity Boys Wrestling team shows that wrestling is about more than wins and losses. It builds confidence, leadership, and strength. For students who are looking for a challenge that will push them to become their best, wrestling might be a good choice. Based on what’s happening at Hamilton, it’s more than obvious that more students should consider stepping onto the mat and trying wrestling.