Southern High Wrestling: A Program Rebuilt and a Family Forged
2025 Winter Season Recap
When Coach Paul Crawley first took the helm of the Southern High School wrestling team five years ago, the program was hanging on by a thread, with only five athletes in the room. Fast forward to the 2025 season, and Southern’s wrestling mats are now crowded with energy, ambition, and talent, with 45 wrestlers suiting up this winter. But more importantly, the team has transformed into something far greater than numbers alone can express.
This season, Southern Wrestling became a family.
Laying the Foundation with Senior Leadership
Key to this season’s success, according to Coach Crawley, was the leadership of the senior class—his first group of athletes to train under him for all four years of high school.
“These seniors set the pace in the room and recruited during the preseason,” said Crawley. “They brought the full package—work ethic, leadership, and heart.”
From leading warmups to modeling grit during tough matches, these veterans became the standard bearers for the program. Their commitment extended beyond competition, guiding underclassmen and creating a culture where wrestling was more than just an individual sport—it was a shared mission.
The seniors helped establish what Southern wrestling now stands for: discipline, unity, and relentless growth.
A Season of Milestones and Breakthroughs
While each season brings its own challenges, this year marked a true turning point for the Southern program.
“We started the season strong and, for the first time, filled all 14 weight classes,” Crawley noted proudly. “That alone was a big win for us and showed how far we’ve come.”
Southern not only fielded a full lineup but also sent a message to the region that their team was here to compete. The hard work paid off in the postseason as the team qualified four wrestlers to the state tournament, with Jeila Ramos capturing a state championship and Blend Beqiri placing 8th in his bracket.
These results showcased not only individual excellence but the rising tide lifting the entire Southern squad.
Stars Emerge and Roles Expand
While senior leadership set the tone, several wrestlers stood out this season for their growth, toughness, and determination. None more so than Jeila Ramos, whose undefeated record served as a driving force for the entire team.
“She motivated everyone,” said Crawley. “Her consistency and dominance helped rally the team.”
But beyond Ramos, many others stepped up by embracing unselfish roles, sometimes competing outside their preferred weight classes to benefit the team. These sacrifices underscored the collective mindset that Coach Crawley had been striving to instill: We rise together, or not at all.
Responding to Adversity as One
Every season brings adversity—injuries, tough losses, and high-pressure matches. But this year, Southern’s wrestlers showed their mettle by supporting each other through every challenge.
“With the numbers we had this season, we were able to hold each other up,” Crawley said. “Whether it was pushing one another after a loss, helping manage injuries, or just getting ice for each other, the team stepped up.”
This mutual support created an environment where athletes didn’t feel alone in their battles. When pressure mounted, it wasn’t about individual weight on shoulders—it was about the strength of many, fighting for each other.
This atmosphere helped turn a team into a brotherhood and sisterhood, a bond that extended far beyond wins and losses.
The Evolution into a Family
The defining story of the 2025 season wasn’t just about individual accolades or a full roster. It was about transformation.
“The kids found the full team aspect of the sport,” Crawley shared. “In the last quarter of the season, we escalated from a team into a family.”
That sense of belonging and unity is the secret ingredient behind the success of programs that stand the test of time. For Southern, that transformation has created momentum that will carry well into the future.
Looking to the Future with Excitement
What excites Coach Crawley the most as he reflects on this season isn’t just the wins or the standout performances—it’s the potential of what lies ahead.
“The team is young and big,” he said. “The younger wrestlers know what is expected and what to look forward to. It can only get better from here.”
With so many underclassmen already embedded in the culture, Southern is poised for sustainable success. The foundation has been laid. Now, it’s time to build on it.
The off-season will be all about refining technique, improving muscle memory through repetition, and continuing the learning process.
“Many of our wrestlers are already participating in open mat sessions,” said Crawley. “They’re learning new moves, perfecting old ones, and building habits so sharp they don’t need to think—they just react.”
A Coaching Staff That Makes It Possible
Coach Crawley also emphasized the vital role of his assistant coaches, who have been instrumental in helping guide the team’s development.
“They were key to everything we accomplished,” he said. From organizing practices to offering one-on-one technical help, the assistants were as invested in the wrestlers’ growth as anyone.
That shared commitment among coaches has created consistency in training and a support network that every athlete can count on.
A Team Reborn
In just five years, Southern High School wrestling has gone from a team of five to a thriving, competitive program with 45 wrestlers and a state champion. It’s a story of patience, passion, and belief—one built brick by brick under Coach Crawley’s leadership.
Most importantly, it’s a program where athletes are more than teammates. They’re family—bound by sweat, sacrifice, and a belief in one another.
Southern’s 2025 wrestling season will be remembered not just for its milestones but for how it brought people together, set a new standard, and laid the groundwork for a very bright future.
Season statistics and detailed results are available on TrackWrestling.com. For more on Southern High School Athletics, follow the official school sports page or reach out to Coach Crawley directly.
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