Jacob Fuentes also contributed to this article.
While all sports are inevitably competitive, people often forget that building community and developing self-confidence are equally, if not more important, to a successful season. This is especially true for the wrestling team at Malden High School; this season, they aim to make meaningful connections, rewrite the narrative about wrestling, and secure a well-deserved place at States.
A unique element of wrestling in Malden is its multi-city team: instead of being comprised solely of Malden High students, the team includes athletes from Medford, Everett, and Chelsea who make up the Greater Boston League (GBL). This allows players to meet a wider array of like-minded peers that they may not have met otherwise.
Chris Seccareccio, a senior captain and Medford High student reinstated the value of this perk: “As someone from Medford, being able to be on a team with both Malden, Everett, [and Chelsea] has been a great experience—and I have only met amazing people.”
“There’s a sense of family,” remarked Head Coach Kevin Isaza. “Regardless of what school you go to, you’re all under one roof, under one team.”
Another noteworthy characteristic of the wrestling program is that it is co-educational, and wrestling as a sport is continuously evolving to be more gender inclusive. Isaza has found that “every year, we’re increasing the number of female athletes at tournaments.”
Despite the season having only recently begun, the team is already flourishing, having won their first tournament against Cambridge with numerous of its wrestlers placing on the podium.
“This year, we’ve been off to a great start,” said Isaza. “We are now amongst the top ten teams in each tournament, so there’s definitely been a big improvement from last year where we weren’t really meeting those expectations.”
According to junior captain David Parada Araujo, “Since last year, the team has improved their technique and work ethic. People show up to practice ready to get into it and work hard.”
Wrestling, while rewarding, is not without its challenges. “It teaches a lot of tough lessons, whether that’s experiencing a loss or making mistakes on the mat,” explained Isaza. “Wrestling requires a lot of mental toughness… and I hope that they can carry that on through the rest of their lives.”
Despite being commonly perceived as a strictly “individual” sport––as in, solely focused on personal achievements without any sense of group responsibility––wrestling in the GBL holds a strong bond between athletes, where personal accomplishments are recognized and celebrated by the entire team.
“Something people may not know about is the mental toll it can have on you: going out on that mat and giving it your all, and still not coming out on top.”
David Parada Araujo
For junior Caden Toomey, who started wrestling only this year, “as long as you work hard, everyone is accepting.”
“Having guys who share the same passion and goals as you––who are constantly pushing you in the practice room to be better every day––is something that I feel like people overlook when they think of a sport like wrestling,” commented Seccareccio. “The team aspect of wrestling is just as important as any other sport.”
When people think of wrestling, they may restrict it to competition, painting a picture reminiscent of WWE television programs and the sport’s injurious nature. Many forget that wrestling is, above all, a chance to connect with others, curate lifelong memories, and instill a deep-rooted sense of confidence. The wrestling GBL––defined by the hard work and dedication of athletes from four neighboring cities–––aims to rewrite the narrative that has defined the sport for so long.
