Highland High School in Indiana reports that its boys’ wrestling team is entering the new season with increased depth, experience, and confidence. This follows a previous season characterized by one of the youngest lineups in the region.
“We had a very young squad. We had 12 freshmen and sophomores in the lineup out of 14 weight classes,” said head coach Carlos Maldonado. Despite losing only two seniors, Highland demonstrated potential with several athletes advancing in postseason competitions. “We pretty much have everyone back. We have a couple of good freshmen that should make an impact… so very excited,” Maldonado added.
Maldonado emphasizes fostering a team-first environment in a sport traditionally focused on individual achievements. “Holding each other accountable is probably one of the biggest things in wrestling… you only get better as hard as you guys push each other,” he said. The season also sees the introduction of new assistant coaches who bring fresh perspectives to the team. “I’m trying to work them in and give them their expertise… kind of see what we’re going to do with the wrestling team,” he explained.
According to Maldonado, as participation grows across Indiana, the Northwest Crossroads Conference (NCC) has become increasingly competitive. “Our conference is probably the toughest it’s been in over a couple decades,” he noted.
