BY ATLEY GABRIEL
Last year the wrestling team went 10-8 in the regular season and 5-2 in the GMC Red Division, and they placed fifth out of 24 teams in the GMC Tournament. After last year’s success, the team remains eager and ready to jump back into the season with high expectations.
The team hopes to climb to the top by keeping a strong mindset and unwavering determination. “[The team’s goals are to] get 12+ wins, win the Red Division, place top 3 in GMC, and win the opening duel,” expressed junior Temiloluwa Odumbo.
The team will face stiff competition again this year both in the GMC Red Division and in out-of-conference matches. “My mindset going into the season is not caring about who I wrestle with,” said sophomore Gavin Young.
After placing third in the Red Division during the regular season last year, the team hopes to improve this season. “I feel like what’s different this year is our work ethic,” said Gavin Young. “Last year a bunch of kids only went to workouts and practice because they had to. This year everyone goes to these trainings because they want to get better; they want to succeed.”
Many new girls have joined the GMC Championship team. “As a team, the main goals are to grow and get better together. A lot of our girls this year are new and are now guided by our last year’s teammates … to make our team the best it could be,” said Sofia Sousa.
Sousa finished third in her class in the NJSIAA Tournament and hopes to improve this season. “Last season, I had high goals for myself, but, deep inside, I never thought I could ever reach them,” said Sousa. “After I accomplished winning the GMC Championship, I know I could push myself to those higher goals I thought I couldn’t do.”
Wrestlers participated in an off-season conditioning program throughout the fall while working on their skills with the Old Bridge Wrestling Club. “We do conditioning after school twice a week, and we also work on some technique twice a week as well,” said Odumbo.
The girls open at Newton on December 14, and the boys team opens the season on the road at Monroe on December 20. Come out and show your support at the first home meet on December 16 at 5pm for the girls and on December 21 at 9am for the boys.
Posted on 12/5/24
Photos by Isabelle Marmara , Michayla Smith, and Lors Photography
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