In the wrestling room, hard work fills the air from the moment you step in. Like any sport, it requires strength. But not just of the physical variety. It turns out mentality also plays a big role in this world of bruises and drills.

Del Val is known for having an exceptional wrestling team, and it shows in competitions. They put in the work to perform the best that they can on the mat, enduring hard hits and sometimes less-than-favorable drills.

Del Val’s winningest wrestling coach, Andy Fitz, values the dedication that his team has.

”Having a clear, relaxed mind could be the difference between a good match and a bad one,” Fitz said. “Definitely a huge thing in the sport.”

The balance of schoolwork and such a complex sport must be difficult, but for the wrestling team, there is no issue.

Fitz teaches calculus, where some of his wrestlers are working and maintaining high grades off the mats.

The coach addressed the stigma that all wrestlers are not smart, calling it, “an unfortunate stereotype that’s out there.” Wrestling is a mental sport, oftentimes requiring a lot from one’s mind.

In this sport, focus is everything, whether it be during practice or during school.

“Wrestling requires you to be together fully, on and off the mat,” Fitz said. “The first thing I look at when someone wants to join wrestling is their grades, and the reason for that is because the ones who can maintain their As and Bs usually have an easier time with wrestling.”

The practice of wrestling requires a lot from the athletes, whether it’s a higher division or not. It’s important to have a good mentality going in and coming out. The state of mind you’re in could play an important role in the outcome of a match, according to both Fitz and Brian Meehan, a sophomore and Del Val JV wrestler.

When it comes to what goes down on the mat, the physical part doesn’t matter as much, according to Meehan.

“It’s just a mental match between you and your opponent, and you always have to stay dialed in,” Meehan said.