After an impressive season last year, Amador Valley High School’s wrestling teams are back in action, ready to take on new challenges with a refreshed roster and ambitious goals for the 2024-25 season. The junior varsity and varsity teams had their first matches over the weekend, with several players finding early success.
Rigorous Preparation Leads to Success
Success on the mat begins with dedication off the mat. The wrestling team practices every weekday, honing their skills and building strength.
“[Our practices] take place after school in the wrestling room at about 3:40,” shared Keyian Ghazanfar (‘28). “We typically start off with warm-ups, which include basic agility training and strength conditioning. Then we move on to whatever the schedule says—it could be stations with coaches or practicing moves we’ve learned. Towards the end, we focus on conditioning.”
This consistent effort helps wrestlers sharpen their techniques and prepare for intense matches.
Excitement for Upcoming Matches
With the season underway, players are particularly excited about upcoming tournaments and rivalry matchups.
“We’re looking forward to more tournaments this season, especially with varsity,” said Xander Belvis (‘28), a junior varsity wrestler. “We’ll be facing schools around the area, such as Foothill.”
The rivalry with Foothill adds extra energy and motivation to the season.
“This year, I look forward to the rivalry games against Foothill,” added Ghazanfar. “We’ve always been toe-to-toe with them in sports like football and wrestling.”
Team Chemistry Fuels Success
A strong sense of camaraderie plays a critical role in the team’s performance. Team bonding activities like yoga sessions at Joya Yoga and outings to Skyzone help foster a supportive brotherhood.
Good chemistry ensures that wrestlers are not just teammates but a unified group working towards shared goals.
As the season progresses, AVHS wrestling aims to build on last year’s achievements, with both junior varsity and varsity teams striving for excellence on and off the mat.
