Wrestling Team Pins a Spot in the Playoffs

By CALEB SAMPSON and FRANCIS LINDAMAN

The Wrestling Team finished with a 4-4 record this year, making the playoffs but exiting against Brooklyn Tech on January 31, a solid showing for a squad that had to grapple with adversity throughout the season, plagued by injuries and limited by tough seedings in the City Tournament.

However, there were also many upsides to the year, which saw some of the most promising underclassmen in a while.

“We have a very talented freshman class,” said Head Coach Michael Dowd. “And they're not just talented but also really hardworking. In years past, when I've seen freshman and sophomore classes that are this good, we've ended up being top four, top six in the city.”

“We’ve evolved, and there's a lot of coaches involved with that,” said team captain Norodom Ung ‘26. “We’re really pushing the team hard, and things are looking bright for the future.”

Along with this strong young class, the team managed to see success on an individual level this year as well, with multiple players making states. But this perseverance does not come from nowhere; it's built from the atmosphere, work ethic, and community that binds the team together.

Coach Mark Tomasello said, “We strive to build a culture of paying it forward, where our experienced and skilled wrestlers work with and help teach the newer ones.”

Mr. Dowd said, “The team captains are very good, very responsible, very hardworking, and I just think they set a really great example.”

“To be a captain means to be a role model,” said Ung. “The most important thing is to help the next generation of first years.”

The influence of the captains has had a widespread impact on the team and the culture of Midwood wrestling, both on the mat and in the boys’ personal lives.

Alijon Shodiev ‘29 said, “I feel like I grew a lot this season, especially as a freshman. I learned to push myself more in practice, to work in a team, and to support each other.”

Ung said, “The culture is almost like a family, a brotherly bond. We hold ourselves accountable for each other.”

“Everyone supports each other,” Shodiev said. “Wrestling really brings the team together. We push each other to improve, and you end up finding friends that can last a lifetime.”

The coaches teach the values of hard work and community from the start with how they select wrestlers for the team, using a no cut format. This means that everyone who tries out and shows up is a part of the team no matter what their skill level is. With that being said, the physically demanding environment is not something that everyone can handle.

“Wrestling practices can be very tough,” said Mr. Tomasello. “Every year we end the season with a lot fewer wrestlers than we started with. Those that do make it should carry themselves with pride.”

This environment of hard work, brotherhood, and accountability, along with such talented freshmen and sophomores, should mean bright things for the Hornets in future years. Midwood Wrestling has a lot to look forward to.