South Rowan High School Wrestling Season Preview

As the new wrestling season approaches, the South Rowan High School team is gearing up to take on their toughest opponents yet. We had the privilege of speaking with Coach Patrick Jackson about the team's prospects for this year and what we can expect from some of the returning and new players. The team will be looking to their top returning players from last season to lead the way. According to Coach Jackson, sophomore Garrison Raper and senior Mateo Diaz are two standouts that will make an impact on the team's success this year. Raper is praised for his mental, physical, and emotional strength, making him the ideal wrestler. Diaz is a "freak of an athlete" and constantly works to be the best. These two returning players have the experience and drive to push their team to greatness. In addition to the returning players, some new faces will be making an immediate impact on the team. Freshman Emilio Diaz, brother of Mateo, is a standout at 106 pounds with a strong high school debut in the 113 weight class. Despite being new to the high school level, Diaz's work ethic and dedication make him a valuable asset to the team. Team captains play a crucial role in fostering team chemistry and camaraderie. Coach Jackson looks for qualities such as determination, hard work, motivation, confidence, and humility in potential team captains. Currently, freshman Emilio Diaz, senior Mateo Diaz, and sophomore Garrison Raper are all leading the charge and vying for captain positions. Coach Jackson understands the importance of team chemistry and camaraderie in a sport like wrestling. To promote this, the team has participated in team bonding games and workouts. In addition, there will be more dual tournaments than individual tournaments this season to encourage teamwork and unity. Jackson's philosophy is for his team to work hard, play hard, and look good while doing it. One of Coach Jackson's main goals is to motivate his players to push themselves to their full potential. He believes in leading by example constantly speaking positively and emphasizing the importance of hard work during practice. With a busy schedule ahead, the team will have plenty of opportunities to prove their potential and show their determination to succeed.