As a gym lights flicker and mats unroll, anticipation surges through the locker rooms—this November, a fierce new wrestling season is about to begin, and every move counts.
“A typical preseason practice lasts about two hours. We spend a lot of time running, doing cardio, and drilling—basically anything that gets us ready for what we’ll face on the mat,” sophomore Bella Blanco said. “One of the toughest parts is the mental side. Getting through a hard practice can be difficult without the right mindset.”
These wrestlers have put in the work, but without mental toughness, making it to state could be out of reach. However, some agree that there is no challenge quite like dieting—it stands as the ultimate test of a wrestler’s willpower. For these powerful athletes, proper nutrition is as essential as the hours dedicated to intense workouts and physical conditioning. This year, teammates are more mindful than ever about what they eat, fueling themselves for peak performance and faster recovery.
“Dieting is definitely the toughest part of preseason,” senior Kristofer Johnston said. “I have to watch my calories and focus on eating healthy foods that replenish my energy.”
As the 2025 season gets underway, the team is hungry for redemption with the tournament countdown drawing nearer. Whether they get caught in a cradle or rise to the challenge, Reedy’s promising team is ready to seize their shot at glory
“Though it’s a physically demanding sport that some people might find ‘embarrassing,’ it’s actually really fun and self-improving,” freshman Jillian Mich said.
As their journey begins, the freshmen on the team face uncharted territory. Whether they’re prepared for the heavy workload and brutal competition that await them remains to be seen. But for Mich, she says being side by side with her team makes it all worth it.
“When practices get tough, I think about how it feels to have your hand raised at the end of the match,” Blanco says. “That beats the feeling of all the hard work and conditioning.”
