By Will Smith – Entertainment Editor

Junior Zack Sulkis is the wrestling captain at Law along with junior Benjamin Girandola. Sulkis started wrestling when he was a freshman. He was recently named Law’s Student-Athlete of the Month for December for keeping good grades during the season and doing well in competitions. Advocate Entertainment Editor Will Smith interviewed Sulkis about the wrestling season.

Will Smith: How does it feel to be named Student-Athlete of the Month?

ZS: I’m proud of myself for receiving the award. It means a lot to me to be recognized as the top male athlete at Law out of so many kids, it shows me that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed by coaches and teammates.

WS: How has the season gone so far?

ZS: My current record on varsity is 15-4 with 10 pins and I had a JV match against a kid from amity who weighed 305 pounds and I won that by pin as well.

WS: How do you think you will do during states?

ZS: My goal is to be Top 6 at Class Ms, It’s going to be tough but I think it’s doable. I just need to not get in my head and keep pushing the pace at practice and during matches for the results to show when opens are on the line. I want to help take this team far, I love wrestling for Law, I feel a sense of pride every time I strap up my singlet before my matches so placing means a lot and motivates me greatly.

WS: Can you describe what it’s like to win a match?

ZS: To me it’s the best feeling in the world. Wrestling is a sport where you represent a team but you go out and compete by yourself, no one is there to help you other than yourself, so winning knowing you on your own beat another tough competitor.

WS: Have you exceeded your expectations for the season?

ZS: By far, my goal for the year was to finish with a winning record with more pins after having a horrible record last year with only three pins so having a 15-4 record with 10 pins and having an undefeated record against SCC opponents and a shot at qualifying for the State Open, I would say I’ve definitely exceeded my expectations.