Wrestlings Ups and Downs
March 8, 2018
By DYLAN TRIGG
The Mirror reporter
Justin Groshek is only a sophomore at SPASH. As a member of the wrestling team and has accomplished some pretty amazing things. He is a two-time conference champ and two-time state qualifier.
This year he made it to state and ended up taking second.
Groshek said, “The trip down to state was a ton of fun. I didn’t get exactly what I wanted but it was still a great experience.”
Groshek said, “In my first couple matches I just concentrated and always got the first takedown. That was really the key. It put me ahead and gave me confidence. I ended my first day with two wins. Then I had to go back to the hotel. This was relaxing but I still had to make weight the next day so I couldn’t really have much (food). I woke up the next day and that is when it really kicked in. I knew I had to wrestle my best.”
Groshek said, “In my semifinals match I had the guy that was supposed to win my side of the bracket. Before the match all the coaches would say is you have to go out there and wrestle your own match. In the first period I got the first takedown and from there until the end of the match I had all the control. After that match, I rested and came back for the finals. In the first period, he got a takedown and I couldn’t get out. The rest of the match was me trying to play catchup.”
Groshek said, “My goal was to win state. I ended coming up short but I will learn from it and come back next year stronger and better. I am going to use this as motivation for next year and work hard in the off-season.”
People in the Stevens Point area view Groshek as a hard-working perfectionist.
James Berdan, one of the wrestling coaches said, “He knows what he needs to work on every practice. He attacks his own weaknesses to make himself better. He never slacks and he really pushes everyone on the team to work hard and it obviously paid off.”
Teammate Chance Bailey said, “He is a great teammate. He knows when it is time to goof off and when it is time to be serious. In practice he is all business, pushing himself to the limits. Then after practice, he is cracking jokes and making the team closer.”
Bailey said, they “have become great friends. We go and get food and hang out on the weekends.”
Groshek said, “I cannot wait for next year. My goal is to win state.”
Hannah Gibbons • Mar 13, 2018 at 12:50 PM
I really enjoyed this article and how you were able to feature Justin. Wrestling isn’t a huge sport at SPASH, so it was cool to read about how the team did, specifically Justin. I really liked your angle of the story.
Alina Burmistrova • Mar 12, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Great! Taking second is awesome! It means you have something to strive for. Article is really interesting and how Kacey said, commentator above, “it focused on just one person”and it is awesome as well. Story is full of different opinions which make article “fresh”
Kara • Mar 12, 2018 at 12:50 PM
Awesome story, it really shows the struggles of wrestling (like making weight, etc) and also all the hard work that Justin put in. I liked how you added what awards he got last year as well.
Dylan Konicek • Mar 12, 2018 at 12:26 PM
You had some great quotes from the wrestlers and some great info about Groshek
Alyssa Schroeckenthaler • Mar 8, 2018 at 12:40 PM
It’s pretty awesome that he took 2nd place at state. I like the motivation he has for wrestling. I think with an attitude like his, he has a very good chance of winning state before graduating.
Hannah Siegel • Mar 8, 2018 at 12:31 PM
This article was interesting, it was cool to hear about Justin’s experience at state and his goal for next year. If there anything different he wants to do next year if he gets to state?
Kacey Koch • Mar 8, 2018 at 12:25 PM
This article was very interesting to read because it focused on just one person and how they use what they have to become better in whatever they’re doing. It really showed how much his experience was going to help him in later years.