2023 Wrestling Team Banquet

The WGHS Wrestling team shared tears of joy and shouts of laughter in the cafeteria during their end-of-the-season banquet on March 28th.​
by Paulina Rodriguez

The WGHS Wrestling team shared tears of joy and shouts of laughter in the cafeteria during their end-of-the-season banquet on March 28th.

Before the start of the ceremony, the team moms brought in catered food from Cielo Blue Mexican Grill along with sodas, tea, and lemonade brought in by wrestlers. After dinner, they shared a large cookie cake with the team and families.

Both varsity and junior varsity wrestlers were recognized and awarded letterman certificates, placement plaques, and trophies. They presented awards such as best freshman, most takedowns, most reversals, most escapes and more. 

The seniors were then recognized and given speeches from the coaches as they cried with joy. Starting off with Damion Wasendorf, also known as ‘The Big Man Baby’ to Coach Vanstone, Coach Kyle Smith’s voice cracks with emotion as he gives his final thanks and goodbye to the best wrestler he has coached since Wasendorf’s freshmen year.

Emotions were also shared while Parker was receiving his speech. The coaches showed their appreciation as they let go one of their memorable state placers. Even though he fractured his back before his junior wrestling season, Gareth Aderhold made a big come back during his senior year. Coach Paul Vanstone, who’s proud of Aderhold’s determination, entrusts him into his future.

Coach Vanstone is both sad and blessed to be letting go of a 3 time state champion, Landen Moss. He has shown great potential in his years of wrestling and even placed second in nationals.

​The coaches didn’t forget to mention the last two seniors Bayley Fisher, who has been with the team since her freshmen year, and Viridian team member Paulina Rodriguez, who has been with the team since her sophomore year. The two managers worked throughout the seasons with the wrestlers and coaches. Coach Smith honors the two girls for being up at 5:30am and traveling with the team to help make sure both the boys and scorings were organized.

The season finally concludes with the end of the year ceremony with the team proudly handing off their 6 seniors to the next part of their lives and with the underclassmen just starting theirs.