Wrestling is a sport that gives athletes an opportunity to succeed. Unlike other sports where height can be important, like basketball or volleyball, wrestling gives everyone a fair shot. At Cardozo, being a wrestler means embracing the mindset of a gladiator, like in Rome where the idea of wrestling first began.
Cardozo wrestlers practice six out of the seven days per week for three hours. This is to do strength training, perfect skills, and work together. Being part of the team is a huge commitment, as practice is mostly every day. But, it’s a challenge that is worth exploring.
There are many reasons why students decide to join the wrestling team. For one, some athletes use wrestling to get out stress and pent up anger. As a teen in high school, many students have stressful lives. On top of that, teachers and deans can be very stressful and hard to handle. Between personal struggles and the work in their classes, many students find sports to be an outlet. Wrestling is a good outlet because you are able to leave everything on the mat. It can be a good way to relieve pressure and stress, and be around likeminded people.
Justin Moon, a senior on the wrestling team, shared that wrestling truly helped him. “I would come into the room with a frown and it would turn upside down when leaving,” Moon said. This showcases how joining wrestling can be good for students’ mental health. It also gives students support and structure.
Wrestling also allows you to be better at your sport. Winning only comes from the will to win and it’s about how much you put into your matches. But, on Cardozo’s team, everyone gives it their all.
The team is also like one big family. In boy’s wrestling, everyone acts like brothers and supports each other. The bond between the teammates pushes them to do well in their matches. When someone doesn’t try their best, they do a disservice to their teammates. So, everyone tries to put the most effort into their skills. And, when someone is new or doesn’t know as much, the rest of the team will be patient and will teach you the skills needed.
This is why Cardozo’s wrestling team has been named division champions for the last 15 years. And, there is always room for improvement, despite the wins the team has. With wrestling going out for another title to make it year 16, they are always looking for new members to join the team.
