From hard earned county victory to a takedown at the M.I.C. tournament, Warren Central’s boys wrestling team has had lots of success this year.
After placing fourth in the state finals last year, the team’s hopes of winning it all this year are in sight. Winning M.I.C. was hard and tiring, but the team rose above all the challenges, becoming M.I.C. champions once again.
Senior wrestler Kyrel Leavell won his fourth M.I.C. tournament, as well as this year winning his fourth county tournament. Victories in these tournaments “really helps the mentality,” according to Leavell, because he knows more of what to expect in other matches.
“I've done it. I won it four times,” he said. “I've competed with some pretty good kids, so winning those four times and being able to have the experience with those two tournaments definitely helps going into other tough tournaments and seeing other tough opponents.”
Winning and performing well is not all that this team wants, though. Coach Jacob O’Neill encourages healthy lifestyles even after big accomplishments like winning M.I.C.
“After winning the M.I.C., my hopes for wrestlers as they go into sectionals and beyond is that they stay physically healthy, emotionally solid and psychologically focused,” O’Neill said.
Wrestlers who are very successful on their own realize that none of this would be possible without their coaches. From giving extra support on the mat to reinforcing principles of succeeding at life, Warren coaches play a huge role into how wrestlers view wrestling as a whole.
“They’ve done so much to help us succeed,” senior Kristian Blake said. “Giving us some of the best opportunities to compete and teaching us how to win and have fun while doing what we love.”
With wrestlers accomplishing so much this season, practice and preparedness is key to helping with improving wrestlers’ skills and abilities, especially with sectionals approaching. Because of this, wrestlers like senior Brenton Russell have set high goals for themselves.
“We don’t take breaks,” Russell said. “What's the point in being good if you can't win state?”
For some wrestlers, while preparing for a big matchup is important, taking a more mental approach is also key to how they might succeed in sectionals and onward, and coaches have helped take time to help wrestlers realize how a mental approach can work to their benefit.
“The coach has helped the kids on the team focus on the mental aspect and believe in themselves and get in shape with great practices,” senior Waylon Cressell said. “The athletes have trained harder because they are starting to believe in themselves and have confidence in themselves.”
Coaching has been a big impact in the upbringing of many wrestlers this season. Coach O’Neill recognizes this.
“Coaching has led to the success of the team and wrestlers by being steady and consistent with love and understanding, balancing it with high expectations and tough love,” he said.
O’Neill said the most “season-defining moment” this season was a match against New Palestine, where Warren defeated New Palestine 45-44 after a pin by Paris Green helped the Warriors take the lead and win.
Even though the Warriors have a lot to look forward to, the team should also reflect on what they have overcome this season.
“The team has been able to overcome adversity this year through good leadership, staying focused and being mentally tough,” O’Neill said.