Down on the mat with his WGHS opponent in full control, Matteo Whiteaker, freshman, knee slides out, recentering himself up in a neutral position. He continues to set up, faking to each side until he takes a shot. Lifting his opponent up, Whiteaker slams him on the mat, a booming smack throughout the gym. Grabbing his arms and circling around to gain control his opponent stops fighting as he is pinned. Whiteaker started wrestling in eighth grade. He said he originally didn’t know if he was going to like wrestling or not, but was surprised to find how structured and safe the community was.
Whiteaker said. “We’re looking out for each other, we all want each other to get better and perform at meets.”
Charlie Barksdale, sophomore, said that a lot of the bonds come through suffering together. He said wrestling is nothing to take lightly, but when you’re doing it with friends it becomes a lot more fun.
“A lot of the time if we’re just drilling moves, my teammates [and I] will just talk and continue to stay in touch with each other,” Barksdale said. “You spend 15 hours a week, sometimes more, and you really find a connection with those guys.”
Barksdale said when he really applied himself, he reached another level of commitment that he hasn’t seen in himself often. He said by always being backed up by his teammates, he takes it seriously and takes more time to cut or watch videos of past matches trying to get better.
“You always find new ways to push yourself, or a teammate or coach will,” Barksdale said. “I can see myself improving throughout the season. I’m making less mistakes [than] I used to, and I don’t stress as much before matches although there will always be that feeling.”
Zeke Mueller, sophomore, said much of the learning comes from the coaches, but a lot of small details that make the difference come from you or another teammate. Mueller looks up to his captains who are obvious guys to learn from, but said your partner during practice is the guy you learn the most from.
Mueller said. “The first day of practice all [returning wrestlers] have to partner up with a new guy so we can help them along the first few practices.”
Whiteaker said if you have any interest at all, try it. He said it’s worthwhile and he’s made lasting bonds with teammates.
“Kirkwood wrestling has been very rewarding with winning, and friends,” Whiteaker said. “This sport is made for new people to come and try as soon as you feel up to joining, the whole team has open arms.”