To get different results, we need to make some deliberate changes. This isn’t about crushing morale; it’s about elevating our game. Our areas for intentional improvement are clear.
More Intentional International Style Development
We must integrate international styles into our training regimens much earlier in the year. This gives our athletes the foundational “reps” they need to develop true international style instincts. This integration shouldn’t wait until athletes are preparing for Fargo; it needs to happen long before their national debut.
Parents, this is a direct call to action: if you think a “stop sign” (the octagonal plaque awarded to Fargo All-Americans) is in your young athlete’s future, please promote the adoption of international styles as early as possible. This is especially vital for aspiring young women in our state, as Freestyle is the collegiate style and the path to higher-level opportunities. For North Carolina’s girl and young woman wrestlers, Freestyle is truly the future.
Building Deeper Experience
Consistent exposure to high-level international style competition, beyond just Fargo, is crucial. This will build the experience and fortitude required to navigate grueling tournaments. Specifically for North Carolinians, this means going beyond the Tar Heel Classic and Freestyle States and looking to southeast regionals as an integral destination on the path to the national stage. And, let’s be honest, if your athlete gets consistently rolled up at a southeast regional and doesn’t place in the top 6, that’s a clear indicator to parents they can wisely save on their Fargo budget for that respective year.
It’s also imperative to note that while some things can be done on the organizational level to promote and make it cost-effective, participating in the 14U, 16U, and Junior Duals is crucial. These events afford our athletes 14+ opportunities, minimum 7 opportunities per style, to face national-level competition. To change the perceived narrative about our state’s caliber, it is imperative that we start making our ascent at the duals as well. The Duals can serve as a vital data point for North Carolina’s progress, as we have the unique opportunity to engage in state-vs-state battles.
Enhanced Knowledge Application
This means consistently translating our coaching knowledge into execution in the practice room and on the mat, especially in critical late-match situations.
Optimal Fueling & Recover
We need to implement a stronger focus on proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery strategies. This will ensure sustained energy, combat tournament fatigue, and promote overall athlete well-being as a core component of high-level performance and positive lifelong health habits.
Sustained Effort & High-Pace Readiness
This involves reinforcing the conditioning and mental/intestinal fortitude necessary to maintain peak performance through multiple tough matches in a single day. This journey showed us that the gap isn’t just in desire or heart, but in the specific, targeted preparation required for the elite stage of USMC Nationals.
NEXT: Part 3: Team North Carolina Women: Breaking Barriers and Building
