By Daisy Ruiz
Indian Trail’s wrestling team has work to do with its 2-4 record, but these wrestlers have a strong work ethic, with a few already delivering standout performances such as Ben Stevenson who holds the best record of 23 wins and 7 losses.
Other rising stars include Leo Kiser who has 25 wins and 11 losses, and Ben Simar, who has 19 wins and 11 losses. They are the ones to watch this wrestling season.
“All three have an outstanding work ethic and put so much time into their craft beyond the practice room. All three have real shots at qualifying and placing at the state tournament in this and the coming years if they keep growing,” said Coach Jameel Massouh.
“We have a good team, but a young and largely inexperienced group of wrestlers and that makes this a rebuilding year of sorts for our team as we build our basic skills and technique over the course of this season,” said Massouh.
Their current goals are to work hard and train for the state tournament series so some of the individuals can qualify for the state tournament in Madison, Wis., at the Kohl Center.
“It’s the goal of every elite wrestler and we are working hard and having fun to be ready for that challenge,” Massouh said.
The team has been forced to give up some weight classes due to sports related injuries and not having enough players to fit in those weight classes. Also, many players on the team are new and not nearly as experienced compared to those from years past.
“One of the greatest challenges our team has faced this season is competing with a limited lineup,” Massouh said. “There are 14 weight classes to fill for wrestling team vs. team duals, and we currently are forfeiting our 126, 160, and 170-pound weight classes either due to injury or just not having wrestlers in those weights.”
“We’ve done extremely well considering that disadvantage and a main goal of ours is to show Indian Trail that wrestling is an amazing sport that creates athletes and changes lives, even and maybe especially for those who’ve never done it before,” he said.
Beyond this season, Massouh wants to grow interest in the sport of wrestling. The sport changed his own life and opened doors for him to find success everywhere in his life, helping him transform from an non-athletic kid who struggled in sports to someone who was driven, in shape and passionate about everything he did, he said.
“It helped me learn that I have to own my wins and losses based on how hard I’m willing to invest in myself in practice and in life and it lead me to later have success in my mixed martial arts careers against Olympic wrestlers and other elite level athletes,” Massouh said.
“My goal is to interest more athletes and students to join the sport so they can find that same joy and growth that I’ve been passionate about and has changed my life,” he said.