The Freedom wrestling team has had an intense season, from their first season win against Beaver with a score of 55-12 to winning WPIAL sectionals for their section against Chartiers-Houston and South Fayette on Jan. 27. This intriguing team is made up of of one senior, four juniors, four sophomores and five freshmen. During the senior night match against Montour on Feb. 4, the boys won with a score of 52-18. Add the win against Derry during WPIAL semi-finals on Feb. 6 with 35-34 and they were on their way to the championship match.

“I think that the freshmen and underclassmen are the key to our success. They pull most of our wins in our biggest matches. It usually comes down to them and they pull it off,” Senior Levi Bonzo said.

As the season went on, some people thought that some of the younger or less experienced wrestlers would have a harder time, but Coach Jim Covert dismissed this quickly.

“We call ourselves a family. I wouldn’t say that any of them are going to have a harder time. Every night someone steps up, we always have someone step up,” Covert said.

Win after win, these guys have made a name for themselves. Bonzo, being the only senior on the team, is very happy with how this season has gone compared to last season.

“Compared to last year, we’ve been unbelievable. We have done so much in this last year. We have really pulled ahead. These guys are like my second family. I am truly blessed,” Bonzo said.

All of the excitement peaked at the WPIAL championship on Feb. 6 against Burrell, which sadly ended in defeat for the Bulldogs with a score of 48-17. Each wrestler put out and left it all on the mat. Three freshmen were able to win their bouts; Freshmen Bryson Miller at 182 pounds, Zach Ward at 106 pounds and Jacob Pail at 120 pounds.

With such a young team making it so far in the championship, it’s almost expected for them to get that far next year or even farther. This team has big dreams of making it to states, which many people are eager to see happen.
“Next year, I think that we will be WPIAL champs and that we will be at team states and have a decent shot making it. I think that the freshmen have already stepped up this year and next year will step up even more,” Junior Kody Komara said.

All in all, these guys have had a strong year start to finish. Only time will tell if they will exceed the community’s expectations. No matter what happens in the future, no one will forget their names and the strength behind the 2015-2016 Freedom wrestling team.