Constantinos Rodriguez
Torch Guest Writer
AT sports are heading into their winter season which means wrestling season is going to kick off. Wrestling has been a top sport at AT but they are starting slow this season.
AT has started off the season 1-3, after slipping up on November 20, 2021 in the Quad tournament.
Coach Michael Rosengrant explained how their season is going and how he felt at the beginning. “One of the main goals this year was to get numbers up from the covid year, numbers took a big hit.”
AT’s wrestling history is very good and considering how recent accolades have gone into the wrestling program.
“Last year, Jake Matthews became the first All-State wrestler at ATHS for the first time in 19 years. Huge milestone for Jake and the program,” said coach Michael Rosengrant.
Matthews had a huge impact on the season and handed down the captaincy to Polo Ramon and Seth Skamra. Ramon loves being in charge and a strong leader for the team.
“The team is great and there’s a lot of people who are willing to put in the work to get better,” said Ramon.
AT is in the West Suburban Gold Conference and they compete with teams like Downers Grove South, Morton, Willowbrook, Hinsdale South, Proviso East, and Leyden.
“Downers Grove South is by far the best team in the conference, well coached, trained in off-season, and a great feeder program,” said Rosengrant.
AT has to bare down and grind in order to beat teams like DGS. The off-season was tough for the AT wrestling team.
“We did like a 12-week preseason strength and conditioning program and in the season regularly worked on strength and conditioning. We wanna be in better shape then the teams we face because that gives us an advantage,” said Coach Rosengrant.
Also, Ramon explains that practices can get vigorous and it is a grind every single day.
“Practices mainly entail technique with live one on one at the end.”
Varsity wrestling has big goals and the IHSA State Tournament is right around the corner.
Rosengrant states, “Hopefully finish top half of the conference as a team, and also qualify a few individuals for the IHSA state tournament.”
Ramon also acquired some of his goals for the season.
“Yes, I will be competing for all conference and as a team we are working our way up there,” said Ramon.
AT has had a rough start but they are on the come up for bigger and better things. Coach Michael Rosengrant is all about getting better and improving but he enjoys winning.
“Hopefully finish top half of the conference as a team, and also qualify a few individuals for the IHSA state tournament,” he stated.
Coach also said, “We have a really young team with mostly juniors and sophomores in our starting varsity lineup. The goal is to continue to improve as the year progresses.”
With this young team, AT sees itself as a young varsity team but with the heart, drive, determination, and talent. Coach Rosengrant and Polo Ramon are going to lead the team in the correct direction.
