Wrestling Team Hits the Mats

Spartan Wrestlers are working hard for the upcoming season in the hopes of a victorious season.

Photo by Hanna Kazlovskya

The TJ Wrestling team started its official practices last week and is now training and getting ready for the approaching season, under the coaching of Mike Laurita.

With the returning Head Coach Laurita, the team is bound to get in shape and will be ready to wrestle by their first match. “This season should be great. We have 25 returning wrestlers and seven returning varsity players and the overall team is starting with about 50 kids. Preseason workouts were kept fun and easy, just so the kids can get on the mats and get a feel for it. But now is when the real practicing is going to come into play. My goal is to get Varsity ready for their first meet on December 3^rd at Mountain Vista for the Survivors Series and JV for the Cherry Creek Duel,” said Laurita.

The Wrestlers and the Laurita have lofty goals set for the season and are working hard to meet them. “We always expect to win the league title; there is no way around that and that is our main goal. We hope to get as many kids as possible to qualify for the state tournament and place,” said Laurita.

With so many returning wrestlers the team is looking sharp and strong. Some of the returning wrestlers include Kenny Ojeda, Noel Estrada, Marcus Allen, Hagen Coral and Bennett Rodriguez. There are a couple of returning seniors who are ready to wrestle, including Rylan Rudebusch and Jesse Liu. “This season is looking great, and having new wrestlers always gives us an advantage to win league title,” said Ojeda.

This is a big year for the senior wrestlers; it is their time to shine. “Personally, I will try to make it to every practice. It’s better for my character and my physical ability. I hope to do my best because it’s my senior year and it’s my time to be the leader and show the younger kids what they can do,” said Liu.

For every wrestler, the ultimate prize is to make it to the State tournament.  “My goal is to make it to state and wrestle at state. I look forward to helping the underclassmen and help them train to become better wrestlers. Being a senior on the team takes off some stress, but this is where the four years of training come into play. It all comes down to this year; it’s all or nothing,” said Rudebusch.  “The team is looking great so far.  It might be early to judge, but the guys are awesome and really look like they want to win. The season is going to be exciting if all the guys keep the positive attitude,” said Rudebusch. The team is ready to take home the W and win league.

Come and support the boys at their first meet on December 3^rd at Mount Vista.