St. Joseph Wrestling 2025 Season Recap: Building a Legacy, One Match at a Time
In just its fourth year of existence, the St. Joseph High School wrestling program is already making history.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Garrett Smith, the 2024–2025 season was a breakthrough year for the young program. What began as a rebuilding effort after a tough 4–20 season turned into a story of resilience, grit, and competitive pride. With a new team mindset, strong leadership, and historic performances, St. Joseph is beginning to carve out its place in the Connecticut wrestling landscape.
As part of our 2025 Winter Season Recap Series, we spoke with Coach Smith about the program’s growth, the players who stepped up, and what lies ahead for the Cadets on the mat.
The Rise of the Captains: Leading from the Front
The driving force behind St. Joseph’s turnaround was its core group of captains. Returning seniors Mike and John Maroney, along with fellow senior Lucas Kellogg and junior Robbie Kammerman, led with both action and attitude. Their commitment to preparation and practice fueled the team’s energy throughout the season.
“These guys kept the team working hard and motivated every single day,” Coach Smith said. “They led by example—on and off the mat—and their leadership was a huge reason we were able to make such a leap forward.”
The captains' presence was especially important for a developing program, helping establish a culture of discipline, focus, and resilience that will benefit future squads for years to come.
From 14th to 7th: A Season of Growth and Milestones
Improvement was evident across the board. After finishing 14th in the Class S State Tournament a year ago and going just 4–20 as a team, the Cadets made significant strides, closing out this season with a 14–16 dual meet record and a 7th-place finish in Class S—a massive jump in just one year.
Perhaps most notably, the team earned its first-ever tournament trophy, finishing 3rd out of 12 schools at the Jonathan Law Team Duals. That moment was a clear signal to the state: St. Joseph wrestling has arrived.
Another proud achievement came at the Class S State Tournament, where five Cadet wrestlers placed, including the program’s first-ever individual champion—a historic moment that solidified the team’s arrival on the big stage.
Mental Toughness as a Turning Point
A key shift in the team's performance came when athletes began focusing on mental preparation. Wrestling, Coach Smith emphasized, isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about mindset and composure.
“The big turnaround happened when the guys found their zone,” Smith explained. “They figured out how to get mentally ‘locked in’ before matches, and once that clicked, we became a much better team.”
This emphasis on mental readiness gave the Cadets a competitive edge in tight matches and challenging situations, allowing them to stay composed under pressure.
Breakout Performers: Depth Beyond the Captains
While the captains set the tone, several other wrestlers made impressive leaps as the season progressed.
Senior Dante Montagnesi, senior Juan Garcia, and junior Lucas Sotolongo consistently gave maximum effort in practices and matches alike, showing resilience and heart.
“These three guys just kept grinding,” said Smith. “They kept working hard, and as the season went on, their results spoke for themselves. They kept winning.”
Their growth demonstrates the depth and determination brewing within the team, and why the future looks so promising for St. Joseph wrestling.
Responding to Adversity: A Lesson in Perseverance
This season wasn’t without its challenges. Between injuries and illness, the Cadets frequently had to compete short-handed, often forfeiting multiple weight classes during dual meets.
“There were matches where we were giving up 2 to 4 weight classes,” Smith noted. “That’s tough to come back from.”
Still, Coach Smith never let those obstacles become excuses. Instead, he reminded his team that wrestling is, at its core, an individual sport—about preparing yourself to get your hand raised, regardless of the team score.
The Cadets also trained for high-pressure scenarios in practice, preparing mentally and physically to execute under duress. When those moments arrived during competition, they were ready.
Senior Legacy: Pushing the Program Forward
For the graduating seniors, this was their final chance to leave a mark, and they made the most of it. Coach Smith praised their sense of urgency, pride, and passion.
“They knew this was it,” he said. “They pushed themselves harder than ever and inspired their teammates to do the same.”
Their legacy will be defined not just by their wins but by how they helped solidify the identity and future of St. Joseph wrestling.
A Promising Future: Year Four and Beyond
Despite losing a key group of seniors, Coach Smith is energized by what’s ahead.
“We’re a young program—only four years in—but I’m excited about what’s coming next,” he said. “What we do in the offseason will define how far we go next year.”
With younger wrestlers like junior captain Robbie Kammerman and Lucas Sotolongo poised to take on bigger leadership roles, the program is set to take another step forward.
Offseason Goals: Building a Complete Athlete
Coach Smith isn’t just looking for better takedowns next year—he’s after total athlete development. That means an intense focus on strength training, conditioning, nutrition, and mental toughness, along with refining and expanding the team’s technical arsenal.
“We’re working on every aspect of what it means to be a successful wrestler,” he said. “This offseason is where we’ll set the tone.”
Where to Follow the Cadets
For fans looking to keep up with the program’s stats and progress, updates can be found on FLO Wrestling and CT Wrestling Online, with Coach Smith also maintaining his own detailed stat sheets for internal tracking.
Final Thoughts: Pride, Progress, and Purpose
From a 4–20 finish last year to trophy-winning performances and a top-10 state placement, the 2025 season was nothing short of transformational for St. Joseph wrestling. More than just improving their record, the Cadets showed what’s possible when leadership, hard work, and belief come together.
As the program enters Year 5, the foundation is now in place. The expectations are higher. The athletes are more seasoned. And the vision is clearer than ever.
Coach Smith and his squad aren't just trying to compete anymore—they’re building a legacy.
Share With