Boys’ Wrestling at Chesterton High School has cultivated tons of excitement from the community this winter. This year’s team is made up entirely of zealous athletes whose enthusiasm for wrestling has spread throughout the school. After taking home third at the recent DAC Championship, the stakes are vastly increasing as the team moves towards sectionals, but no obstacle can defeat the determination and morale of the Trojans.
The major success at the DAC Championship, in large part thanks to title winners Greyson Strickland (12) and Max Quiroz (11), propels the team into the final rounds of the season: sectionals, regionals, semi-state, and state. Every move from here on out will determine how close the team is to becoming state champions. Dominating at DAC, crushing Valparaiso on Trojan Senior Night, and overtaking many other impressive teams throughout the season have made the possibility of winning that final tournament not such a distant dream.
“It’s been a good season,” says Strickland.
“There’s definitely been some ups and downs, but we’ve gained a lot of momentum heading towards the end, and that’s what we need.”
Everything seems to be lined up in favor of the Trojans. The coaches work individually with each wrestler, which makes a tremendous impact on the performance of singular athletes and that of the group as a whole. Additionally, the new Coach Hawkins has proved to be a highly valuable asset to the team, pushing practices harder than ever before. However, spectacular coaching can only go so far. The need to succeed must come from within the athletes, and there are few with more drive than the wrestlers at CHS.
The roster, full of seniors who are deadset on making it to state their final season, is wildly strong in stamina and talent, as well as in camaraderie. Strickland reports that after every duel, the team goes out to eat together, frequently to Taco Bell – the dining hall of champions. On and off the mat, these boys remain teammates, and such a bond is as crucial to victory as their consciously refined diets.
“It’s always great to hear your buddies cheering you on when you’re wrestling, and it’s so much more impactful when you’re close with them,” says Strickland.
Without a doubt, the Trojans are ready and raring to go at the feats that lie ahead. The four upcoming tournaments, though the most monumental, pose obstacles that the team is more than prepared to take on. Teams like the Valpo Vikings, the LaPorte Slicers, the Knox Redskins, and the daunting New Prairie Cougars lie ahead, but the path to victory looks optimistically clear.
“I hope we get upside New Prairie quite a few times,” says Strickland.
“I think we’ve been putting in the work to do that, and definitely give them a run for their money.”
Although the finale to this fantastic season of CHS Boys Wrestling is sure to be beyond grand, it is not scheduled for anytime soon. This chapter ends with another Trojan championship, and their fight gets stronger every step of the way.
