by Aubrey Cummings

Wrestling, the sport of the strong-bodied and strong-minded, may be wrapping up its season, but recent competitions are results of training and mentality from throughout the season. 

Both boys and girls wrestlers are competing in their final matches, as girls’ wrestling just sent junior Abi Lemon to the state finals, and the boys’ wrestlers get ready to compete in regionals this weekend at JHS.

As junior wrestler Scarlett McRae said, “Wrestling isn’t just a sport; it’s a daily choice to suffer so you can stand taller later.”

While Red Devils wrestlers are standing taller as they compete this winter, the season technically begins in the early months of the school year with conditioning.

In the fall is when the fun – or suffering – actually begins. The girls’ season officially starts right after fall break each year, and the boys are not far behind, starting at the end of October. 

Sophomore wrestler Jaylen Howard said, “Wresting is more than just a winter sport because it starts the day school starts in August and ends July the next year — just in time for the season to start again, creating a never-ending cycle.”

What most people don’t know is that, unlike some sports, wrestling doesn’t end with an in-season break.  As soon as the technical season ends, wrestlers jump right into the off-season, whether it be coaching local elementary students or going to meets across the country.

“It’s a year-round thing. Every single weekend is seen as a new opportunity to get more matches in. Anything less and you’re selling yourself short while your competition is getting better,” 2024 graduate and wrestler Dawson Slaughter explained.

Off-season isn’t just about training for those in high school. It’s also about teaching those who may eventually participate in high school.  The Jeff wrestling program is bigger than just the high school.

“Wrestling’s a year round thing, whether you’re helping younger kids with their wrestling careers or trying to improve yourself for the next season,” said Lemon, a four-sport athlete who advanced to the state finals this year.

Middle and elementary school wrestlers are considered a part of the Team Jeff wrestling program and family, too.  Jeff High wrestlers teach and practice with these younger athletes, so they know a friendly face in the coming years.

“Going to the middle schools allows for us to become greater leaders and know who we are leaving the program to when we are finished,” said senior Abril Andres.

Wrestling has never been described as an easy sport.  In order to compete, participants must have a strong mind.  They must be able to fight the odds and keep going. This is what makes wrestling what it is.

As junior wrestler Will Honaker said, “The definition of wrestling is to struggle.”

This shows not only the difficulty of wrestling but also the mindset the participants are in.  They know going into it that it’s not going to be easy, but still, they do it.