Varsity Wrestling Looks to Improve

Varsity Wrestling started off their season on Dec. 7, placing 11th in the Mad Mats tournament at Magruder.

Much like many of the other sports programs, the team introduced new faces at the coaching position. Current PE coaches James Potts and Andrew Bader were handed the keys of the wrestling program. 

Unfortunately, the wrestling program has been subpar in performance and participation for the last few years. While the program usually has many attendees early on, the numbers start to decrease as the season continues.

For Coach Potts, the main goal of this season was to establish commitment in its athletes. “Obviously you want to win, and you want to be at least competitive, but [participation and retainment] are our main [goals] moving in,” he says. “Hey, let us get more kids into this sport, and . . . try to keep them there for the entire season.”

However, it is more than just what players do on the mat. Coach Bader says, “It stems beyond [that]. Just to have the kids being productive, whether it is in the classroom, but also outside in the community.”

Speaking of players, there are a couple of athletes that have impressed Coach Potts. “Currently, Evan Cawthorne, who’s a sophomore captain. He is leading the team in wins and pins as well,” he adds. “Another standout as a returning is senior Alejandro Roberts, at 220 lbs, he also has a pretty good win-loss record.” Other names Coach Potts mentioned were junior Anthony Goglia and senior Patrick Musaro.

Overall, Coach Potts wants to make sure people know that wrestling is more than just a game of taking down the person in front of you against their will. “I do not want that to be a factor that scares you away from the sport,” he adds. “I think once you get it in and experience it, you’ll be surprised [at] how much you enjoy it.”.

Even though the coaches and the team are at a slight disadvantage, Coach Potts and Bader plan to ascend the wrestling program. Bader adds, “[Coach Potts and I] plan on staying here and trying to build the program and change the culture, one season at a time.