In standard high school wrestling matches, there are a total of 14 different weight classes, between 106 and 280 pounds, to compete in. Wrestlers from each team are matched to an opponent according to the weight bracket that they fall into. The results of each match decide which team has won overall.

In every wrestling match, points are awarded for takedowns, tilts, reversals and escapes. At the end of the three, two-minute periods, whichever wrestler has earned more points for these moves, will receive three points for their teams overall score. A tech-fall is rarity in high school wrestling, but occurs when a wrestler beats an opponent by 15 points; the match ends and five points are added to the teams overall score.

While a tech-fall is considered prestigious in the wrestling world, the best way for wrestlers to get points for their overall team is to pin their opponent. A pin is when a wrestler “pins” the opponent’s shoulders to the mat for five seconds, and the overall team is rewarded with six points.

If a wrestling team has no one to fill certain weight classes and an opposing team has someone in that weight class, a forfeit occurs, and the team who has someone in that weight class automatically receives six points to their overall score. FHS, as well as other smaller schools, have a lot of pressure on them to fill weight classes so that they don’t lose a match before anyone has even wrestled.

This puts a lot of stress on the small group of wrestlers to fill these weight classes. This usually means that wrestlers who should typically be in one weight class either gain or lose weight in order to fill a necessary weight class. Junior Louie Dubovi started the season out at 138 pounds before conditioning, but has now cut his weight down to 126 pounds.

“Our team didn’t have a wrestler at 126 pounds so that was where I was needed. It was more for the team than myself,” Dubovi said.

“It also helped me out too because since only one person in each weight class typically gets to wrestle, I filled a hole so now, I’m able to start at all the wrestling matches for that weight,” Dubovi said.

Another incentive for wrestlers to cut weight is to be the heaviest weight possible for the weight class they are going to wrestle in.

This means that most wrestlers lose 10-20 pounds at the beginning of the season so they can drop down to lower weight classes and have a better chance of winning due to a bigger size and amount of muscle than a normal person at that weight would have. Sophomore Evan Sweesy started the season out at 235 pounds and has now cut down to 220 pounds.

“There’s kids stronger and bigger than you so if you don’t have a size close to them, it’s gonna be harder for you to win,” Sweesy said.

Freshman Michael Muron weighs himself everyday to ensure that he’s the proper weight he needs to be.

“The first few tournaments, I really struggled to lose the weight but now that I’ve cut down to 138 pounds it’s much easier because my body has gotten used to it,” Muron said.

Overall, the FHS wrestling team has been able to fill almost all their weight classes this season. Individual FHS wrestlers also place at almost every tournament the team attends. Sophomores Kody Komara and Dean Ward placed 1st in their weight category at the MAC competition on Jan. 10. Komara also received the “Most Outstanding Wrestler” award for the entire competition.

Several other members of the wrestling team also placed at the MAC competition which led to the FHS team overall to receive 7th place. Hours of dedication, grueling practices, and weight loss have allowed for only one loss against Burgettstown so far this season and with hopes of having postseason success.