The wrestling team has been hitting the mat, not only tackling the start of their 2024-2025 season, but also staff changes. Physical education teacher Zach Holtzman is the new head varsity boys wrestling coach.
“I’m excited about this younger group and just the opportunity for them to get two to three years of some quality experience on the varsity squad. I’m excited about a really large freshman class and then I’m looking forward to some of our seniors finishing on a positive note,” Holtzman said.
Special services teacher Sean Lovelace has stepped down from his position as the head varsity wrestling coach, giving the spot to Holtzman. However, Lovelace continues to be involved with the athletes and the program.
“Coach Lovelace has done a great job of putting South wrestling on the map,” Holtzman said. “He’s been super helpful in the transition, just finding ways to continue to improve as well as recruiting and management of large numbers.”
Junior Nick Spirek is on the varsity wrestling squad. He’s been a part of the DGS wrestling program since fifth grade.
“Lovelace has been my head coach for years, and it’s kind of weird not having him there. But the practices are pretty similar,” Spirek said.
Spriek described an important part of Holtzman’s coaching style.
“A wrestling match is six minutes. So he’ll [Holtzman] take something random and then put ‘match’ at the end of it. We did a burpees match the other day, so it’s just six minutes of burpees, and then we did a sprint match, which is just six minutes of sprints,” Spirek said.
The team has been utilizing multiple practice techniques. They workout, strength train and improve technique together.
“We spend a lot of time going downstairs and lifting. We focus on the technical aspects, as well as just teaching student athletes how to deal mentally with some challenges,” Holtzman said.
The team has continued to have a positive social dynamic, on and off the mats.
“A lot of people are really loud. We’re all pretty close, you know, a lot of the guys hang out,” Spirek said.
Holtzman also values the DGS wrestling community, noting that the relationships built in the program are valuable.
“I think our community is one of our bigger strengths,” Holtzman said. “Once you’re part of this wrestling community we try to take care of each other. It’s like a family aspect.”
As the season begins, Spirek has many things he is looking forward to.
“This year, I just want to make it to state and preferably place. And then there’s a tournament we have up in Wisconsin at the end of winter break. That’s my favorite one,” Spirek said.
Holtzman explained why he believes wrestling is a worthwhile sport that can provide athletes with physical and mental benefits.
“I think there’s a lot of things that student athletes can learn through the sport of wrestling. There’s no easy days, and I feel like the adversity that they take on every day with an open mindset really prepares them for everyday life beyond high school. And it’s a sport in which you learn a lot about yourself because, obviously, it’s an individual sport, but we compete as a team and there’s just a lot of attributes that can carry over to many aspects of life,” Holtzman said.
