Varsity wrestler Connor Kozanecki qualified and wrestled at State, being the only wrestler this year to place. Kozanecki placed top 14th over the 2 days he wrestled.  

“It was all a mind game because I gained more muscle from lifting in the off-season to this season, but that was only like a 4-5 month period of time. It was all a mental game. Last season I was 1-19. I won one match against Zion, and then this season I finished, (after the state tournament), 34-12. I don’t think I learned any new techniques or anything, I just had more confidence in my ability,” Kozanecki said.

Although having great success this season, he did not reach his current level overnight. It was through his dedication to the sport that he enhanced his skill as well as put in work physically. 

“Overall he performed really well, which it’s funny to say shocking, but after winning one match last year, I don’t know what his expectations were. My expectations weren’t super high for him, but once the season started and he wrestled so well, my expectations grew to the point where I thought he could be a state qualifier,” varsity coach Collin McKillip said.

Kozaencki has been inspired as well as motivated by many coaches and teammates he has met along with his career who have helped him reach his current level and make him want to progress more. 

“Larry Zimmerman, the assistant varsity coach, just always pushes me. It’s terrifying when you’re on the bottom and you just hear him scream from the corner, “Get Up!” and you want to get up. He’s really motivating and a really nice guy. He cares a lot about the sport and his wrestlers he wants him to succeed and you can see that a lot with the effort he puts in, “ Kozanecki said.

Kozanecki did not go alone to state but with support from the team, including fellow varsity wrestler Frankie Salcedo who was with him the whole way cheering him on.

“It was a great experience. I’m glad I got to see him wrestle, and we made great memories with the boys making mac and cheese and drinking energy drink concoctions,” Salcedo said.

Despite not placing, Kozanecki’s career as a wrestler will not be ending anytime soon as he plans to go to university to continue to pursue wrestling as well as a military career after that. 

“Probably going to go to college for it, a couple of colleges are looking at me. I’m going to visit Lakeland University on April 1, Harper College on April 18, and Cornell College in Iowa. I don’t know when I’m going to visit Cornell, but I’m talking to them right now. So probably four more years of wrestling and then after that I’m joining the military and I might do more wrestling there, “ Kozanecki said.