Throwing It Down

Throwing It Down

Wrestling is a sport at Freedom High School, that unlike other sports, doesn’t get much recognition. In fact, wrestling’s popularity is so in question that the Olympic Committee has debated on the sport’s inclusion in the coming years.

The underappreciated and overlooked sport is much more than it seems.

Wrestling isn’t just two guys rolling on mats. In this sport, two opponents grapple each other and gain points by taking the opponent down. After a takedown, the person who executed the takedown attempts to pin the victim. This is the equivalent of a knockout in boxing.  Pins occasionally occur, and matches are usually won by points. One match is three Two-minute rounds with no break in between.

Last season, the Wrestling program at Freedom produced three Regional Placers, and a County Champion. The lack of freshman on the team this year prompted Coach Derrick McCoy to recruit new members.

“Wrestling is a sport that turns boys into men. No other sport has one-on-one confrontation that reveals yourself personally, mentally, and physically,” McCoy said.

Coach McCoy and Coach Joyce are the new coaches of the wrestling team. Both coaches have 18 years of wrestling experience.

“[Wrestling] teaches you that you have to work for everything. [It’s] a sport like no other,” senior Christian Stanley said.

Stanley is an accomplished 4-year wrestler who achieved 2nd Team All-Western Conference.

Wrestling is a sport that anyone can compete in. It is an individual, yet a team sport. Wrestling is organized in weight classes ranging from 106 pounds to heavyweight, so no-one is left out. Although it is not the norm, there are no rules prohibiting girls from wrestling in the same league. Last year, a one-legged college wrestler walked on crutches to the mat and became the national champion in his division. No matter your physical capabilities, wrestling can provide opportunities to succeed.

Not many people come out to the wrestling matches to support the athletes. Some people like junior Carson Arnot don’t like some aspects of the sport.

“Those outfits are so weird,” Arnot said.

The lack of attendance at wrestling matches does not adequately reflect the sport. For those who are curious, go and watch a match.

Omar Meneses is one individual who has attended several wrestling matches.

“Wrestling is watching two gladiators go to head-to-head,” Meneses said.

For those who wrestle or have watched a wrestling match they understand the underlying meaning behind the sport.

“Wrestling is a metaphor for life,” McCoy said. “I’ve played football, basketball, and I’ve run track. Nothing shows your weaknesses and strength [like wrestling does].”