Wrestling finished another successful tournament last weekend. It has been a successful season so far with a dual meet record of 2-2. Although the Wildcats lost to Poolesville and Damascus High Schools, last weekend proved to be successful at C Milton Wright High School in Harford County. Both senior Christian Mendoza and junior Leo Saucedo went undefeated (7-0) in the in the tournament, earning the team fourth place overall.
“Leo is killing it this season,” senior Kirk Breneman said.
Most recently, the wrestling team completed a match against Paint Branch High School on January 11. Although the Panthers quickly pinned 5 Wildcat wrestlers, the Wildcats did not let the score keep them down and kept fighting! WJ ended up winning at 285, 120, 126, and 138 with a final score of 43-21.
“This weekend we are going to Kenwood High School for another dual meet tournament that we won last year so we are looking to defend our title this year,” senior captain JD Fitzpatrick said.
Goals are high for the wrestling team, but success certainly does not come easy. Senior captain Henrique Corte knows it is his responsibility to make sure his teammates are working hard. Team captains must always lead by example.
“Leo Saucedo, Jacob Bernstein, and Kemper Stearns are all having a great season so far and I’m confident they’ll be placing top 4 in the county,” Corte said. “JD Fitzpatrick is leading the team in wins and every other aspect, he’s a great captain and most of the guys look up to him including myself.”
Although each of the team members take the mat individually, it is definitely a team effort. The Wildcats owe much credit to their dedicated coaches. Head coach Geary Fitzpatrick knew it would be hard to follow in the steps of former wrestling coach Tom Wheeler, but that did not stop him from stepping up to the plate.
“Although we graduated a lot of good wrestlers over the last 2 years and as a result we are starting a number of wrestlers with little or no experience, this new group of wrestlers are working very hard at closing the experience gap and have done everything we have asked of them,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick also applauds the more experienced wrestlers for helping teach technique to the new wrestlers.
“This is a committed and hardworking team who I am confident will continue to see further success as the season progresses,” Fitzpatrick said.
Wrestling season is off to a great start, and with every match the team only gets stronger. Once again the Wildcats are on the road to states!