By Doug La Rocque
It’s been three full seasons now since the combined wrestling program was re-instituted and by all accounts it is definitely still growing. [private] The team held its annual fund raising breakfast and wrestling expo this past Saturday at the Berlin Jr./Sr. High School and was busy serving food and answering questions for the full three hours. Coach D.J. Connolly tells The Eastwick Press, I’m thankful for that.” As to why it is growing, Connolly says “I think just the kids, being in the school and being able to connect with them on a different level, and getting the kids to come out and at least try it.” Another key to the success is that the coach, his staff and the parent support group approach this as more than just a sport. “I tell these guys they are my family during the season, and we do support each other. We are like brothers and sisters.”
Coach Connolly said the money raised by the breakfast goes directly to the team. He is hopeful some of it might be used to fund an overnight trip to a wrestling meet a little farther away from home than in league and Section II match ups. Unlike the rest of Berlin’s sports, the wrestling team will not be competing in the Wasaren League next year, as that league only has four schools with wrestling teams. The Berlin-New Lebanon grapplers will remain in the Colonial Council, where eight schools participate. He is also planning on competing against Western New England competition once again at the annual Mt. Greylock Regional High School tournament in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
This year’s wrestling season may be a thing of the past, but not wrestling itself. Connolly says they currently have an open mat session every Thursday from 4 to 5:30 pm at the Berlin School. “You don’t have to be a member of the[/private] team to attend, it’s open to anyone who wants to give the sport a try.”