“It takes a lot of effort and hard work and determination to become champions,” said varsity wrestling Coach Derek Sweet. This upcoming season, the grappling Atoms are looking to become three time conference champions in a row.

In order to become three-peat champions, the grappling Atoms are going to need to take every sprint, match, practice, push-up and conditioning seriously.

Since every other high school is looking to defeat the champions, the Atoms are going to have stay sharp and focus during throughout the entire season.

The Atoms Wrestling team will be lead by their two captains, Junior Cesar Lopez and Junior Allen Kokilananda. Both of these leaders are looking forward to having a breakout season and leading their team to another title.

The grappling Atoms are without 10 seniors that graduated last year. The team this year is going to be very young and and hungry for victories. It’s going to take sometime for the team to get used to the system.

“We graduated 10 seniors so we’re going to be very young, very energetic and stride to become 3-peat conference championship,” said Sweet.

This is going to be the second year for Coach Sweet. Last year, after Coach Shoulders left, Coach sweet came in and took over the varsity team.

Sophomore Alex Brennan,  JV and varsity wrestler said, “I think we will do well this year. We have a lot of new wrestlers moving up to varsity, since we lost a lot of seniors which graduated last year.” He believes that him and teammates can achieve and their third conference championship that they all have been working for.

Not only does the coach know that they’ll have to push themselves to the limit, Senior Allen Kokilananda knows that too. “I need to improve in my conditioning and constantly keep pushing  myself in practice and during sprints,” said Kokilananda.

“I think that I’m going to have an amazing season and have a lot of fun just enjoying the sport and embracing the grind. And hopefully win another conference championship,” said Brennan.

The grappling Atoms are looking to dominate in their first meet. But it will take some effort, “I kept my mind open in terms of ideas and different ways to reach talent here, Sweet said.

Their first meet will be on Friday Dec. 2, at the Forest Park Duals.

With the season about to start, Coach Sweet and his grappling atoms are going to not lose their focus during practices and matches, so they can wrestle their way to their third conference win in a row.