The ERHS wrestling team’s resurgent regular season is coming to an end, and the team is now preparing for its postseason matches. This year has been a transformation for the wrestling program, with new head coach Sean Schmaltz taking over the reigns. The former Purdue University wrestler was an assistant coach last year, and has instilled a winning mentality into the Raiders team in his first year as coach.

First-year wrestler senior Shawn Sullivan said that his first season with team “has been an incredible experience.” Sullivan added that “with the help of Coach Sean and the other wrestlers on the team” he has been able to improve and adjust to the intense level of the sport.

According to senior captain Ricky Bryant, Schmaltz has “come into the room and brought in a level of technique and hard-nosed mental toughness that is parallel to none. Without him I definitely don’t think we would have made the progress we have made.”

The team’s success can not only be displayed through their record with only one in county loss (to Parkdale), but also through their individual finishes at tournaments. The team has consistently seen it’s wrestlers place at the top of the podium, including seniors Bryant, Eugene Latson, Chibueze Onwuka, and Juwan Rodriguez. The next step for the team will be to seek revenge against Parkdale and win the county championship for the first time in four years.

Senior Matthew McFarland said he thinks the team will “be in good shape” for the postseason. McFarland also added that they “have a few injuries, but ultimately a strong team, that can send multiple guys to the state championships this year.”

Now, only time will tell if the team’s breakthrough year will end the way they want it to.