The wrestling mats have been set for thrilling competitions as San Leandro High is in the thick of one of its most interesting seasons. There are various wrestlers on the San Leandro High School team that wrestle at high levels.
In preparation for the exciting wrestling matches, the wrestlers have practiced every day of the week except Sundays, training from Monday through Saturday at the FTK gym. After the new gym was completed, they have been practicing in the new mat room — which is part of the gymnasium that is capable of holding 3,000 people.
Practice is early in the morning before school starts so students are allowed to use the showers in the gym as needed. The more experienced wrestlers who have been with the team for a few years make up the Varsity team, while less experienced or first-year wrestlers are part of the Junior Varsity (JV) team. Athletes have the opportunity to climb the ranks, earn recognition, and potentially rank up to the Varsity team.
Newer JV wrestlers have the chance to ask the experienced older varsity wrestlers on the team that have been doing this for years for assistance. Senior wrestler Carlos Flores said asking coaches for help is a great way to better one’s understanding because the coaches have experience.
The team starts their week on Mondays by introducing new techniques given by the coaches. If a wrestler doesn’t fully understand a specific concept, they are encouraged to ask their coach for clarification.
Varsity senior Josue Lopez said on Fridays many of the wrestlers not only get their tools from their coaches, but also obtain inspiration when spectating other wrestlers through social media.
“Friday usually I like to go practice the techniques I will actually use in my matches” said Lopez.
This is a common practice among the wrestlers to prepare by drilling these techniques repeatedly to perfect and master them. From Tuesday through Friday, the team focuses on refining techniques, practicing, and developing the best strategies they would want to use for the upcoming tournaments.
Training isn’t the only scheduled routine they do all week. Meal planning also plays a critical role in wrestling. Everyone wrestles by weight classes.
“We are usually dehydrated because of weight cutting,” stated Flores.
Dehydration can affect them with lower stamina especially during a match, and it can lower muscle strength and give them difficulty concentrating.
Lorenzo Ramirez is a new wrestler this year and has learned a lot in just a short time, especially about this new diet wrestlers have to go through. Proper meal planning isn’t just about eating to maintain a constant body weight; it’s also about fueling the body with the right nutrients for optimal performance.
One day after practice Lorenzo sat down while rehydrating himself, using a ruler to measure how much he’s been drinking he started planning his after practice meal. Meal planning isn’t limited to eating proteins and avoiding eating excess food; it also involves monitoring your water intake and carbohydrates. Wrestlers are encouraged to eat healthy food, especially during tournament preparation
“I’d say it [fast food] shouldn’t be a normal part of your diet”, said Lorenzo Ramirez.
In-N-Out, Wingstop, Redbull and snacks might sound so good, but not to a wrestler during the season. Foods high in carbohydrates and energy bars are useful sources of energy before matches, while electrolytes and water help with rehydrating the body after weight cutting.
“Usually your diets affect how you feel, like your energy,” said Ramirez.
These rapid diets can have a negative effect on the body, which is the reason why wrestlers must be careful with how they diet.
Recovery is also a vital part of any athlete’s routine. Cold showers, ice baths, sleep, massages and rest are a big part of Fridays for athletes. This could be a big difference and a game changer once it comes to their matchups. Wrestlers’ mentality or emotions aren’t to not be expected, they experience a lot of different things while training and during actual tournaments.
When wrestlers help each other out they will get better together, their teammates are there to help them out and they’d do the same for them. With this wrestlers can become more
aware after training all week and going through these hard conditionings to obtain a better body condition and mental state.
The phrase “Iron sharpens iron signifies that individuals refine and elevate one another through mutual challenges and collaboration, it’s about understanding the importance of surrounding oneself with those who could inspire growth,” said Flores.
