Tackling Challenges: A Season with the Boys' Wrestling Team

By: Stephanie Medina

The Storm Lake boys' wrestling team has been on an impressive streak. Last year, David Santos won the district title and advanced to state, with the support of his family, coaches, and friends. This year, the team is confident that they will achieve even greater success, with hopes that more wrestlers will claim district titles. Districts are set for Saturday, and the outcome will determine how far they can go.

The team has shown remarkable growth since last wrestling season, proving that hard work and dedication truly pay off. Under the guidance of Coach Seaman, Coach Henkenius, and Coach Downs, the boys have pushed their limits, achieving an impressive 16 dual wins and just 2 losses that were within reach. Their consistent success, including strong finishes, 2nd and 4th place at four tournaments, is a clear testament to their relentless effort. What truly fueled their progress, however, was the continuous support from their coaches. Whenever the boys faced exhaustion or doubt towards themselves, Coach Seaman, Coach Henkenius, and Coach Downs were there to turn it around, replacing frustration with positivity. “Every athlete is different so we have multiple ways to get them motivated. The majority of the time we use positive reinforcement during the rough patches,” Coach Henkenius explained.

As the team grew closer, a powerful sense of unity emerged, with each member becoming a source of inspiration and a role model for the others. Their shared passion for the sport fueled a deeper commitment, with the dedication seen at practice and meets serving as constant motivation. More than just improving physically, they became stronger mentally, developing a resilience that carried them through each challenge. With every match, they reminded themselves of their ultimate goal, refusing to give up after all the hard work they had put in. In tough moments, focusing on the positives became key to maintaining their drive, helping them push through the toughest obstacles and stay mentally sharp, both on and off the mats.

Looking back, it’s clear that they had an outstanding season. The team has consistently brought their best to practice while working hard and showing up with the right attitude every day to improve. With numerous individual successes, we’re hopeful that this momentum will take us to the state tournament. Now, we wait in anticipation for the district results this Saturday. Regardless of the outcome, we’re proud of the dedication and effort the boys have put in. Their hard work has not only made an impact on the mat but has strengthened the team, family, and our community. Saturday’s competition will truly showcase their commitment and determination, and we can’t wait to see what they achieve. Good luck to those participating.

Xavier Mendez with a pin against Sioux Central