The Patrick County Middle School Wrestling Team puts a lot of heart in their work, whether on the mat or in the community.
“I think wrestlers are a different breed,” said Chad Lange, who coaches the team of 7th and 8th graders: Trent Alexander, Walter Boyd, Tristen Hardy, Morgan Horton, Eli Hughes, Aiden LaComa, Juan Pablo-Gutierrez, and Joshua Wright.
Team members practice at The Mat Room — a gym in Stuart that also offers aerobics, karate and other types of training activities.
In addition to the physical challenges of the sport, Lange’s ‘Team of Eight’ team members also “learn life lessons like self discipline and self control” and the importance of giving back.
Volunteering is stressed because “it helps build team camaraderie and community support, plus, I just think it’s important to volunteer,” Lange said, noting the boys volunteer to help several businesses/organizations in the community.
In the gym or while helping in the community, emptying the trash, running a vacuum, sweeping or even decorating a Christmas tree, the emphasis is on team.
“Come on, team captain, figure it out. Make a plan,” Lange recently said, responding to comments made by LaComa and Boyd, co-captains who discussed creating an assembly line for tree ornaments.
The two noted the decorating process would go quicker if some team members placed hooks in ornaments while others hung them on the Christmas tree.
“Team work makes the dream work,” Lange said, as the captains made their plan and the boys split into two groups, one for each task.
“Our wrestling matches are pretty bare in the stands,” Lange said, adding he also is hopeful others will get to know the team as a result of their work in the community, become interested in the sport and attend a meet or two to support the team.
“We need community support to help build our fan base,” he said.
The team will participate in four meets. Only one – January 17 — will be held at home at the Patrick County High School, Lange said.
For more information about supporting the team, contact Lange at the Mat Room, 151 N Main Street, Stuart.
The Patrick County Middle School Wrestling Team, (back row, L to R) Walter Boyd, Aiden LaComa, Joshua Write; (Middle row, L to R) Tristen Hardy, Eli Hughes, Juan Pablo-Gutierrez, (front row, L to R) Morgan Horton, Trent Alexander and Chad Lange, coach (seated).
