By Staff Writer Jennifer Fortman
Filming by Kevin MacGregor
Editing by Emily Hillier
This week, “The North Star” sat down with senior Ben Brancaleon to discuss his experiences as the varsity captain of the wrestling team. Brancaleon has competed with the wrestling team all four years, but this is his first year as captain. After learning from excellent role models, Brancaleon leads the team with passion and dedication.
Q: What’s the best thing about your sport?
A: I would say that it’s all on you. It’s just one person in the ring so winning and losing is all on you. You don’t get to rely on anyone when you’re wrestling so that is the best thing for me.
Q: What’s the worst thing about your sport?
A: I guess it’s being the captain and trying to help someone out when you want them desperately to win, but you can’t go out there and wrestle for them. That’s kind of hard.
Q: How far do you want to go with your sport?
A: After this year, I’m going to be done, but I really want to be a state champion. That’s all I’ve wanted to do my entire life.
Q: What’s the most important contribution you make to your team?
A: I would say just bringing the leadership and the energy to the team and to meets and duels and stuff like that. Even in practice, I like to be the guy to just get everyone fired up and ready to go.
Q: How do you think you’ve improved as an athlete over the years?
A: I just have a better mindset overall. I was kind of content with not being at my peak at all times my freshman year, but now I just want to strive to be the best I can be and give 100% all the time.
Q: Are there any coaches or mentors that have inspired you over the years?
A: I have wrestled with Coach Champ since I was in 5th grade so I know him, and I have a connection. I go to him with on everything, and he’s probably one of those guys I’ve looked up to the most throughout my wrestling career.
