Thurs, Jan 30, boys and girls wrestling hosted senior night at the boys dual meet against York High School. Before the meet started, head boys coach Christopher McGrath called out each senior from the boys and girls teams. The seniors were able to walk out with their close ones.
“They have been great role models for the underclassmen, which is cool since the junior class looks to be just as strong,” McGrath said. “Wrestling is a special sport where athletes enter the circle to compete on their own, yet they are still part of a team. Anyone willing to step on the line and compete can be successful.”
One impressive feat of these seniors was simply their number: 18. This is the most combined girls and boys seniors that DGN’s wrestling program has ever seen. These growing numbers reflect the growing success and popularity of the school’s program.
“Even though it is an individual sport it has one of the tighter knit teams. The team gets really close in the season because we are all in that same type of struggle but we are also enjoying it while we are there,” senior Cameron Vlasic said. “I think doing this sport, especially over the course of four years, changes you as a person for the better and prepares you for the hard parts of life.”
Another important feat of senior night comes with the same number: 18. Boys wrestling’s win over York earned the team the most varsity dual meet wins in a season for DGN’s wrestling program.
“Wrestling for four years has definitely made me a better person by teaching me how to persevere through tough situations,” senior Tyler Tianco said. “I think as a team we have the mindset to just compete and control what we can control. Whatever happens, we can at least say we did everything we could.”
This mindset has proved to be successful. The wrestling program sent eight boys to sectionals. Five of these qualifiers are seniors, including Tianco.
“Probably the most impressive people on this team are not the kids winning the medals each weekend,” McGrath said. “I am super proud of the ten seniors who didn’t end up on the varsity team, but came to practice each day and competed as hard as they could despite not getting all of the accolades.”
These seniors have come a long way since freshman year. Whether they are four year seniors or not, the discipline they have displayed over the course of this season is impressive. They deserve the achievements of this season, not just in records, but in showing up and putting in the work.
“I think being consistent is really important, as well as being disciplined, because it definitely drains a lot out of you. with all the early mornings and weight cutting it is definitely a challenging sport,” Vlasic said.
This hard work pays off, however. We look forward to following Tianco, DGN’s wrestling state qualifier, as he competes for a medal at state.
“They have worked tirelessly in the off-season to reach this level. They deserve the success they are achieving,” McGrath said. “This has been an amazing group of young men and women. I can’t wait to see what they do in the IHSA state series.”
