The Jacksonville wrestling preseason officially begins with open mat wrestling and hard work put in by the whole team getting in shape and cutting weight or bulking up for the season. Wrestling is one of the most physically demanding sports because it requires that athletes maintain a bodyweight range in order to wrestle in that spot. Weight ranges are usually very slim with little room to gain or lose too much weight.
Because of these strict weight divisions, wrestlers keep a lean diet and intense work out schedules. Working out on a full stomach is difficult enough in most cases, but the work outs of the Jacksonville wrestling team are often undertaken without the normal day’s lunch packed down. Wrestlers who have to cut weight drink lots and lots of water and eat the minimal amount of food that they can.
Body Mass Index tests at the beginning of the season are a precaution taken by the IHSA to ensure that wrestlers are only allowed to shed a healthy amount of weight over a certain period of time. Wrestling programs in the past have struggled with the malnutrition of wrestlers starving themselves in order to quickly cut a lot of weight and drop to the desired weight class. This technique is not supported by the IHSA and can lead to punishments or suspensions from conference meets.
The wrestling team officially starts the season with their opening meet on December 3 and athletes are running out of time to get into the desired weight class. Wrestlers like Grant Carmody “really working to make this season a good one.”