Oakdale wrestling is a strong program during the winter sports season that continues to flourish every year. This year, the team had a record-breaking number of tryouts, not including the nearly 15 incoming football players. The new and returning wrestlers are extremely excited to show what they have to offer.

Whether they are new to the sport or have been doing it their whole life, there’s a large variety in skill throughout the team. Even on the varsity team, Senior Kevin Futrell has only been wrestling for one year, while Freshman Jacob Mostowski and Sophomore JJ Hathaway, have been wrestling for over nine years each.

Wrestling is a tough-minded sport that requires a lot of will and drive from all of the individuals. Mostowski claims that a regular practice day is very tough:  “I hate the workouts, the conditioning, running a mile, and six-minute rowers. [Our coach] literally calls it hell.” It is obvious that, to be a part of this team, each player needs a lot of self-discipline to stick with it throughout the season.

Adding on, head coach Timothy Tao, who has been coaching wrestling teams for over 24 years, says that he loves, “watching the growth and progression of the team. [The year before I started coaching,] we had nine kids and only three wins, and the year I started we [had] 34 kids and 11 wins [and a state champ.] Now we have 66 on the team, so watching the progression and the growth in the sport and the school is great.¨ 

Even though it is only Tao’s second year coaching the Oakdale team, he is looking forward to a great season, hopefully filled with many wins and state championships. He also hopes to qualify for states and possibly even win.

Though wrestling seems like a tough sport overall, Hathaway describes it as “a great experience because, once you wrestle, everything else in life is easy. Everybody says that, so I have to say it.” 

Continuing, Futrell explains how the best parts of wrestling are the benefits to your overall health. ¨Stamina, better shape, better mental [health], stuff like that” is something that’s important and comes to wrestlers as the season continues.

The team is looking forward to becoming a strong team the rest of the season and hopes to end on a good note, making this a season to remember. Come watch your Oakdale Bears at Colonel Zadok Magruder High School this Saturday at their tri-meet.