Hyde-Woodstock v. Williston Northampton: 42-30

The Hyde-Woodstock varsity wrestlers faced off this past Saturday in a quad-meet against Williston, Hopkins, and Suffield.  We opened against Williston and found that even with very little experience on our side, the tenacity and athleticism carried us to a spectacular season opener.    Owen Chan ’13 earned his first win of the season, with a successful pin against WNH’s 103lb wrestler. Chris Herschberg ’12 also had a stunning first match which began with some comical moments, as his singlet and headgear were on incorrectly, but ended with his hand being raised after pinning his man at the 135lb weight class.  Other pins included those of Andrew Hawk ’11 at the 189lb weight class and Mac McGuire ’10 at the 152lb weight class.  A true Hyde moment was found in the match where Kevin Madigan ’11 went the distance against his opponent at the 125lb weight class and only lost by a single point.  This persistence and physical toughness was exciting to see and I look forward to watching him develop as a wrestler.  We ended with a team score of 42 to 30,  defeating WNH and starting the season with a winning record!

To begin the season with a 2-1 record was surprising considering the lack of experience we have on this seasons roster, but we have a team of tough kids who refuse to quit.  With some time on the mat, this team will become quite formidable.  Wrestling is a sport that challenges the quitting voice in all of our heads.  When your shoulders are nearing the mat, it would be much easier to give up and get some water and rest, rather than fight off your back and change the momentum of the match.  This is linked to more than the sport for these young men, and regardless what the record at the end of the season is, my hopes are that these wrestlers will hang their shoes up and have their heads high knowing they faced some tough challenges and never quit.  Our next match will be on Wednesday against Northfield Mount Hermon, a wrestling giant in the prep school league.  Wish us luck!