by Dylan Sondike ‘24

Just over halfway through the season, the varsity wrestling team has exceeded expectations. As of January 10, the team remains undefeated with seven wins and has won six of those meets by a comfortable ten or more points. Coach Pete Siarkas explained that the team has been winning the matches that they are expected to win so far. Sophomore Colin Cyphers and senior Jace Munoz remain undefeated in their individual contests. Strong showings from other wrestlers such as senior Sam Dickey and junior Vasili Siarkas have also contributed to the team’s victories.

“Jace Munoz will hit the 100-win category [for his career] and that’s with him losing a year from the pandemic, which is a big accomplishment to get in four years, let alone three years,” said Siarkas. Munoz’s name will be added to the “Wall of Champions” in the wrestling gym, something that Munoz has aspired to see since his freshman year.

Despite the individual and team success so far, Siarkas noted that there are a lot of teams around the county that have looked good this season. He sees around eight strong schools in the area that could compete for a title including Sherwood. As the team continues through the back half of regular season meets, Siarkas points out that the end of the year county and state tournaments are where top teams and wrestlers separate themselves from all the rest.
After the regular season, the wrestlers participate in a team tournament called duals. The teams in the

4A North Region all make the tournament; however, only one team is crowned champion from each of the four regions and heads to a final-four showdown. Individual tournaments begin within their respective counties. In the county tournament, everyone gets in. As the Warriors are a part of the 3A/4A North region, the top eight individual wrestlers advance to the regional tournament based on a points system, where every match won equates to more points earned. From the regional tournament, the top four from each region make it to states to form a sixteen-person bracket.

Munoz is feeling optimistic about himself and the team’s chances at this point in the season. “As a team, we are talented and have the wrestling experience to win states,” said Munoz. “Individually, I’m confident that the work I put into the off-season and the extra work I put in during the regular season will have me at the top of the podium at the end of the year.”

With tougher opponents on the schedule in the back half of the regular season, the Warriors will look to continue their tremendous season. With individual and county tournaments also on the horizon, Siarkas and the team will look to make this season a memorable one for wrestling, and try to bring some hardware back home for the Warriors.