As the DGS football season comes to a close, many find themselves turning to wrestling for the winter season. A solidified pipeline exists among athletes between the football and wrestling programs, providing unique opportunities to participants.
This condensed period of athletics presents both challenges and advantages to those involved. For instance, the skills required in each sport translate well, allowing for more time to perfect those skills.
Senior linebacker Kyran Lawson is a member of both the varsity football and wrestling teams.
“Tackling is one of the top priorities [in wrestling], and I feel like that translates for me in football,” Lawson said.
Head football coach Mark Molinari encourages students to participate in both sports as a cross-training exercise.
“There’s a lot of push-pull in wrestling, and there’s a lot of push-pull, body movements in football. If you’re not very good at [those movements] in football, the coaches tell you to go wrestle,” Molinari said.
However, the advantages of participating in both sports go beyond physicality. Both activities require a specific mindset to succeed. Head wrestling coach Zachary Holtzman believes in the benefits of competing in both.
“Athletes who compete in both sports develop a rare combination of strength, balance, explosiveness, and mental resilience,” Holtzman said.
Developing this mental fortitude provides students with a lifelong change in their attitude. The forward attitude required for both sports also makes them much more compatible, giving athletes more time and opportunities to truly harness this outlook.
On the flip side, back-to-back intensive seasons often have an effect on students participating in both sports. The combined football and wrestling seasons span six months from June to February. This is a very extended period of time for one to be so focused on athletics.
“Fatigue and the daily grind of practicing every day can begin to wear [student athletes] down mentally,” Molinari said.
The mental demand of devoting oneself to these activities is the main effect for many.
“It’s definitely more of a mental game,” Lawson said.
Despite challenges, participants do find that the value of the activity outweighs the negatives. DGS athletic staff are proud to host a thriving program full of individuals who dedicate their time to multiple sports.
“Our multi-sport athletes tend to be some of the most driven, durable, and successful kids in the building,” Holtzman said.
The wrestling season will continue on Dec. 5 with an away meet at Morton High School.
