The members of the wrestling team are hanging up their singlets as the season draws to a close. Because wrestling is one of the most intense and physically-demanding sports, the team has spent the year training to get in tip-top shape for competition.

“We practice every morning from 7:30 to 9:00,” head coach Shawn Smith said. “There is a lot of drilling, technique and live wrestling, along with a lot of running and conditioning incorporated on different days, depending on what tournament we have coming up.”

With so much to do, the team must put in a lot of effort and determination for their work to pay off.

“I like seeing the hard work we put in during practice paying off with wins for the team, and seeing the confidence of each wrestler growing,” team captain Andy Yu said.

Smith, who has been coaching for 15 years, also enjoys watching each wrestler progress and improve as an athlete. While the physical side of wrestling is important, other members of the wrestling team, like senior Jacob Sandlin, find the mental side of the sport just as appealing.

“The most rewarding aspect of being a part of the wrestling team is watching yourself and others develop and mature,” Sandlin said. “Wrestling is unlike any other sport. It teaches you life lessons that are applicable to any challenges you may face.”

But one of the most important parts of the sport is the strong support system that links the team together.

“The team is everything,” Sandlin said. “When you step onto the mat, you’re all alone. It is an individual sport, but without the support and encouragement from teammates on and off the mat, it is difficult to succeed.”

If any wrestlers become discouraged or are not putting forth their best effort, the team is there to help them get back on track.

“There are times when motivation is not at its fullest, but with the help of each teammate, we continue to motivate each other to become better,” Yu said.

As the team captain, Yu has an important role in keeping every team member in high spirits.

“Being team captain is pretty simple,” Yu said. “The main thing I do is lead by example, whether that means showing technique on the mat or setting an aggressive tone during a match to motivate my other teammates to wrestle with the same intensity.”

Another thing uniting the wrestling team together is its one main goal: making it to State.

“The goal for everyone, or what the goal should be, is a State championship,” Sandlin said. “I want our team to get as many kids to State as possible.”

As Smith recalls, West has had wrestlers qualify for State for six out of the past 10 years (2006 – 2009, 2013, 2014).

“I hope we can continue advancing wrestlers to the State tournament to represent Plano West in 2015,” Smith said.

The State tournament, which will be held this coming weekend, marks the end of the season. For the seniors, who will soon be embarking on the next chapter of their lives, the completion of their high school wrestling career is a little bittersweet.

“I’m going to miss all of it,” Sandlin said.