By Christian Galligan – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law wrestling team has concluded their regular season with a dual meet record of 18-18, and now hopes to storm into States and finish the season even stronger than it started.

Although unexpected challenges have arisen throughout the season, the team holds out hope that its preseason goal of qualifying four to five wrestlers for State Opens will be met.

“Thus far, the season has gone slightly below expected in terms of our overall record – we finished the season with a dual meet record of 18-18 overall which wasn’t the goal we’d been trying to achieve,” Head Coach Mr. Schoonmaker said. “With that being said, we continue our preseason goal of having four to five Class M place winners.”

The team has been reliant on its upperclassmen and has had great success leaning on their seniors, especially their captains.  

“I believe my season as an individual has gone extremely well. I ended with a record of 33-15, placed second at SCC, and placed third in Class Ms,” Senior Captain Will Smith said. “As a team, I believe we performed up to our coach’s expectations, but I believe we could’ve done better in some areas.”

The upperclassmen have led the way and leave the team with high expectations for next year. 

“I feel like I will use this season as motivation for next year,” sophomore Amilio Venditti said.  “The seniors have helped the underclassmen discover what they’re capable of, and helped the team connect on another level.”

Not only have the underclassmen realized the success the upperclassmen have brought to the team, but fellow upperclassmen also acknowledge and recognize their teammates’ contributions  to a successful season. 

“I feel the seniors have been able to display what being a member of the Jonathan Law wrestling team means, on and off the mat,” senior Tim Firla said.

The team was led by seniors but also relied on the hard work and dedication of some underclassmen.

“At state qualifiers, we should have a few wrestlers make the State Open,” sophomore Henry Smith said.  “Senior Brayden Hancock, senior Will Smith, and sophomore Amilio Venditti have put in hard work all season for this tournament.”

The team remains excited for the State Tournament and the noise they feel they are capable of making.