Xavier Wrestlers Capture Gold, Place Second at LCWA State Tournament
By Nicholas Swain
The Xavier University Wrestling team is bringing home the medals. The wrestling team attended the LCWA State Tournament, where each wrestler on the team was able to win a medal. The team also gained success by placing second in the tournament. The team had 10 student-athletes competing in the tournament. Nine of the Xavier wrestlers were able to win medals for individual success. Four of the student wrestlers were able to capture the gold at the tournament.
“The team has improved this year with a lot of new people that have a lot of experience when it comes to wrestling,” Senior Public Health Major Reginald Robinson said. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this team full of young people. I’m also proud of this team and want to keep winning for the next upcoming tournament.”
The wrestling team prepares for the tournaments by having three practices every week. The team was able to recruit a lot of new wrestlers at the beginning of the season, having five freshmen ready to show up and compete. The leadership of the team has really been the key to the success. James Seracy has really stepped it up as the captain of Xavier’s wrestling team. It has paid off where each student wrestler is able to push their limits to win every match.
Senior Public Health Major James Seracy had this to say about the team’s success: “This type of achievement shows the hard work that first years were able to put in and how much success we were going to accomplish even more in future tournaments. Nationals are coming and I know our team is capable of winning.”
Beyond the success of Xavier’s wrestling team, their real goal is reaching Nationals. Last year the team made history by becoming the first Xavier wrestling team to have athletes compete at Nationals with three members of the team. This year’s team has upgraded with young talent that has a lot of experience with the sport. Hopefully, this year’s success can help make Xavier’s wrestling team turn into a sport. The team is still registered as a club according to Xavier University.
Xavier’s Wrestling team has been a club for five years and has competed in tournaments for four years. Public Health Equity Graduate Student Khalil Miller has stated his thoughts about this season’s importance: “This new generation of wrestlers can change the game for Xavier University athletics and hopefully can merge from club to school sports. We work so hard for every practice and match. This is our year to prove to be acknowledged for the success we have worked for.”
The university might not recognize Xavier’s wrestling team as a sport. But the future is key to the success that the wrestling team is having this season. Nationals are approaching and Xavier’s wrestling team is ready for anything and has the talent to back it up.
“I feel this is our best chance and this being my last year makes me proud of how much we have overcome to reach this success,” Seracy said. “I know we have the potential to reach even more success and become one of the best wrestling sports programs in New Orleans.”
