Wrestling team sends four to the FHSAA State Finals

The following is an excerpt from a Facebook post by Farragut wrestling assistant coach Tony LoRusso about the BlueJackets appearance at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class A State Finals this past weekend:

“Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” – Dan Gable, a retired American Olympic wrestler and head coach who is best known for his tenure as head coach at the University of Iowa where he won 15 NCAA team titles between 1976 and 1997.

The update from yesterday at the State Tournament. At 126 pounds, Noah Farrelly battled hard losing a 1pt decision to start off, came back with a pin to win in consolations, then faced off in a battle to the end unfortunately losing 8-7.

Home grown (hero) AFA Wrestler Jack Lescarbeau at the 138 pound weight class lost two decisions by minor points. But Jack brought nothing with him when he walked off the mat. It left it all out there. I’ve never seen him wrestle any other way.

At 152 pounds, Trayvon Taylor lit it up with a 16-4 win to start the day. A loss in the Quarter Finals sent him deep into the consolation bracket where another down to the wire battle took place that ended in a loss 7-6.

And at Heavyweight, Ashton Taylor got an eye opener the first round facing off against one of the best HWTs in the country. But battled. In consolations AGAIN another everything you got battle took place where Ashton lost 6-5.

So unfortunately, all four of our boys…young men have been eliminated. In speaking with Head Coach Ron Timpanaro, he said it was hard to see them upset. But as a true believer in the sport that truly saved my life, I know this. That statement by Dan Gable that every wrestler has adopted since it was spoke is the truest of words. Beyond any trophy or accomplishment and behind every heart breaking loss this sport, better than anything else, doesn’t make life easier per se. It prepares you for the hard parts, knowing you can overcome any obstacle life throws at you.

So for our seniors I too am heart-broken for you. We all are. But we are incredibly proud. Keep in perspective what you have now that you wouldn’t have had without wrestling. Take that with you whether you go on to wrestling in college or not. As a two year scrub that barely won anything, much less made it to the state tournament, I know this to be true. You are better for life.

And to our Junior Ashton, GET READY! You’ve learned the lessons this year that I’m talking about. More than most and in a very fast amount of time. Now it’s time to take advantage of it. Pay the debt you owe these seniors by training hard for next season.

Very proud of all of you!