When most people think of wrestlers, the idea of anorexia does not come to mind. However, with dangerously fast cuts in weight, this is fairly close to reality for high school wrestlers – even here at Chapin.  On a national level, the average fast among high school male wrestlers before a match lasts twelve hours, and the average weight lost five days before a match is around six pounds.  One in four wrestlers fasted or restricted their calories at least three to four times a week. Some of the side effects of fasting include headaches, nausea, and muscle cramps. So how does this relate to wrestling at Chapin High School?

Sophomore Jennings Stroud says, “Yeah, I did get a bit unhealthy during the season. I felt really tired a lot. I guess the hardest part was not being able to drink water as much as I was used to.”    Sophomore Chandler Owens actually fainted after one of his matches.

“It was right after a match”, Says Owens. “I was dehydrated, and I knew that when I lost personally it had contributed to the loss of the state finals, so the stress and the dehydration combined made me pass out.” 

Owens admitted to losing 15 pounds in two weeks. “One time I went without eating for two days” he says. The average nutritionist recommends losing one to two pounds per week. Obviously Chapin wrestlers are not immune to the unhealthy tendencies seen in the average high school wrestler.

So why do wrestlers do it?

 “I have to say that the comradery between the team makes it all worth it.” Stroud replies. “Oh, and winning.” 

Shockingly, Owens says that he would do it all over again as well – “I love that team. Those guys are my brothers.”  However, if thinking about wrestling next year, Stroud gives you this advice – “Work hard.” He says, “And don’t complain.”