Prodigy, Phenom, or Both?
Photo by Rebecca Holt
In the world of individual sports athletes are either good, bad, or something in the very small in-between. Senior Alec Groditski, in only his fourth year of wrestling, still finds himself in the top rung of the talent level.
“In the suburban schools you will find kids that have 5 to 8 years of prior experience before wrestling in high school. We are never so lucky as to get that,” Head Coach Mike Laurita said. Alec, on the other hand, is only in his fourth year of wrestling. “He has had to overcome several injuries, but Alec has grown into a very reliable all-around wrestler over these years,” Laurita shared.
Having wrestled For TJ over all four years, Alec has developed many opinions about the sport itself. “There is no other feeling than when I get out on the mat, and it is only me and my opponent. He could, any other day, be a friend of mine, an enemy, or a passerby, but on this mat, as I drown the crowd out, all he is, is a challenge that needs to be passed.” Having been out the past month with a shoulder injury, Groditski is seriously itching to get back on to the mat. “It has been nice to not have to worry about weight as much; that is definitely the worst part about competing. And even in my month off, I still found myself needing to monitor my weight.”
A previous state-tournament wrestler, wrestling the 125 weight class his first year at state, Groditski is looking to come back strong and still ride the bus to the state tournament. “Wrestling in the state tournament for the first time was like nothing I had ever imagined. Even though I did not leave with a medal, the experience was absolutely worth it,” Alec said. This year Alec hopes to once again, and for the last time, attend the Colorado High School State Wrestling Tournament. With a 17-6 record up to this point in the season, Alec reflects on what the future holds. “It should be tough. As usual, several kids I have competed against in the past have gotten a lot better. There will be many challenges that I will have to face in such a short period of time. All I can hope for and strive for is placing in the top four.” After coming back strong from his injury, the rest of the league better watch out; this aspiring state-placer is back and ready to wrestle.
