As the winter season heats up, the Shorewood High School wrestling team is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting and competitive year. With a combination of seasoned veterans, promising newcomers, and strong coaching leadership, the team hopes to make a significant impact in their upcoming matches and tournaments. Their commitment to hard work, team spirit, and individual growth is helping them achieve new levels of success

Senior captain Skylar Klein is a standout on the team this year. Having wrestled for the past four years, Skylar has become a leader both on and off the mat. His dedication to the sport and his teammates has earned him respect from everyone, and his work ethic sets a high standard for the rest of the team. 

“What I like to do as a leader is to show people something that they may not normally do, allowing them to experience something that they may like helping them get out of their comfort zone and grow as a student-athlete,” Klein said. 

Klein further explains, “ It has always been a love-hate relationship with wrestling, but I have realized that it has helped me a lot through my life in High School by keeping me mentally focused in school, life, and on the mat.”

Over the past couple of years, it has always been heavily encouraged for newcomers for both the boys and girls wrestling teams. 

Senior captain Libby Norton advises, “Be patient with yourself and trust the process. Success doesn’t happen overnight-it’s about showing up every day and working on the small things. Don’t be afraid to fail; those moments are where you learn the most. Lastly, remember to enjoy that journey, because that’s where the real growth happens.”

The overall team morale is high, with wrestlers constantly pushing eachother to improve. “The reason people should join is because in my opinion it helps a person grow stronger as a learner, athlete and overall person. From personal experience, it’s always been a love,” said Klein. 

Personal experience within school sports and outside of school is a very important aspect for student athletes to understand. Norton mentions, “My dad is my coach and I think that has improved my experience quite a bit, but also the team dynamic is a huge part that I love.”

As the wrestling season kicks off, the local Shoreword High School community is excited to see what this team has to offer and accomplish. With strong leadership, fresh talent, and a deep commitment to the sport, the team looks poised. Fans can expect plenty of hard-fought matches, and perhaps surprises along the 2024-2025 journey within this season.