Colonial Heights wrestling continuing forward progress
By Jonathan Howard
Jan 27, 2012, 14:16
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — For three years, Colonial Heights wrestling coach Andrew Sawka has watched his team grow. While he's seen good wrestlers come through the school, he's rarely had a complete team. The last three years, he's watched that transform.
"They took their lumps as freshmen," Sawka said. "They went out there and sacrificed and got beat up a little bit. It's been fun watching them turn the corner."
"They" is a core group of wrestlers that make up the Colonials team that consist of mostly juniors. They are the reason why Sawka feels his team should finish no worse than second at next weekend's Central District tournament and they are the reason why the Colonials are breaking school records.
"We're a family. We never break up," Junior Zack Firesheets said. "If someone is down we pick them up ... We never let someone stay down. We keep pushing everybody so nobody's slacking. If they are, we call them out."
The tough work ethic and family attitude is something that Sawka has watched his competitors develop as they've matured. The harder they've worked and the harder they've trained. The more they've won. Last season, the team tied the school record for wins — 25 — in the final match of the season. This year, the Colonials have already reached 32 wins going into Saturday's matches at the Clover Hill Duals. Last year, Sawka offered to shave his head if his team equalled or bettered the mark. This year, he did the same. But while his team's motivation was different this season.
"It was motivation for them last year (shaving his head). Last year it was 'because I owe you guys.' I did it because I said I'd do it," Sawka said. "[This year] They didn't mention it. I don't really think that was their motivation. I think the motivation was really just setting themselves apart. Wrestling does not get a whole lot of recognition ... [I told them] You guys did this for each other for a memory that you'll have for the rest of your life."
It's a feeling that members of the team are not taking for granted. They have now seen the level of success that can be reached. And while a team like Matoaca has ruled the Central District for years, it's not out of Colonial Heights' sights.
"We just want to be the best in the region. Not only in the district. We know we have Matoaca in the district and their always hard to beat. We just want to be the best we can possibly be," sophomore Justin Trent said.
The Colonials are looking at having four or more wrestlers achieve 40 or more wins this season after the meet at Clover Hill. Senior Tyler Russell recently entered the 100-win club and will soon be joined by Firesheets. Several other members of the Colonials, mostly juniors and sophomores, have a legitimate shot at eventually making the 100-win club as well. Russell hopes that these numbers, paired with a strong showing by individuals in the district, region and state tournament will continue to push the Colonials in the right direction and further show what they’re capable of.
“[I want it to] Set the bar for them and push them to do even better than they did this year ... Give them motivation.”
