After a historic season for the Shark wrestling program, the guys turn their back to folkstyle wrestling for a bit to enjoy a bit of freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling.
Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling are less popular in the United States than they are overseas, but in the off season, the highschoolers enjoy training for both styles because it is another way for them to continue wrestling throughout the summer.
The main difference between the styles is the scoring because in folkstyle a throw overhead is illegal, but in freestyle and Greco wrestling it is worth four or maybe even five points. Also, in freestyle and greco, exposing someone’s shoulders to the mat is two points every time whereas in folkstyle you have to wait for the referee to count to two before getting awarded those points.
Some of the guys that were on the varsity team this season have decided to try freestyle and greco this offseason without any actual coaches; they are just getting together after school and pushing each other to make the whole group better with the leadership of senior Colin Kuhn who said, “The guys that have came in are committed to making themselves and the program better for the future. Nobody has to come out and do freestyle and Greco, but they are doing it to make the team better for next year.”
Junior Owen Fogel, who won an individual state title in division four at 113 pounds is focusing more on freestyle and greco now and is hoping to make it three state titles in one year. He says, “I plan on making a run to win a title in freestyle and Greco As well to make it on the big stage at Fargo to win a stop sign and be an all-American.”
The freestyle and greco team be competed in Fowlerville Friday, May 9, 2025. This is the first tournament that the Shark wrestlers competed in this offseason.
