Senior and captain Jack Fitzgerald is on a mission to leave his mark on wrestling at the high school. In his final season in the program, Fitzgerald seeks to face every challenge with relentless determination and perseverance.

Fitzgerald has been on the varsity wrestling team since his freshman year and has found success all four years of high school. However, his junior and senior years shine above the rest.

This year, Fitzgerald was unable to perform at the beginning of the season due to a torn meniscus from soccer. However, this injury did not push his focus away or change any goals he had for his final season.

Head coach Brandon Bruttomesso said the mental toughness that Fitzgerald demonstrated while recovering from his injury is one of his best qualities.

“It’s tough having to watch everybody else while you’re doing your rehab, but he stayed positive,” Bruttomesso said.

Fitzgerald was not expected to come back to wrestling in his final year because of the injury; however, he stayed persistent and took his rehab seriously, eventually being cleared to compete.

“He was staying on top of his physical therapy to make sure the healing process went as fast as possible. He was doing as much as he could as far as workouts in the weight room to make sure that his body was physically ready to go,” Bruttomesso said.

Fitzgerald’s work ethic and determination have helped him become a leader in the wrestling program. Regardless of the difficulty level of a drill or the intensity at practice, Bruttomesso said Fitzgerald is always doing the most he can to improve each day.

“It really shows up in how much he pushes the pace, whoever he’s wrestling, whether it’s somebody less experienced or heavier than him. It doesn’t matter, he’s always bringing a high level of intensity to his drill,” Bruttomesso said.

According to Fitzgerald, one way he plans to leave an impact on the team is by being a role model to underclassmen.

“Honestly, I just lead by example. If I give everything my all, if I work as hard as I can, then all the other kids will see that and see what they have to do to get to a point where they feel like they are improving and getting better,” Fitzgerald said.

Sophomore and teammate Liam Christ said Fitzgerald wrestles simply and effectively.

“He only knows about nine moves, but it’s really impressive that he’s able to do them all perfectly. That’s something I think everyone on the team strives for 一 to be able to do everything so well,” Christ said.

Throughout his career, Fitzgerald’s hard work has paid off. He ended his junior season with a record of 32-7, leading the Warriors to sectionals. However, his time at the tournament ended in heartbreaking fashion because of a loss to a wrestler he had beaten before.

“It was really tough and really messed with my head and got my confidence down, so ever since then, I’ve been trying to work as hard as I can to never let that happen again and to prove to myself that I am better than him,” Fitzgerald said.

Christ said Fitzgerald’s main goal is to stay focused and work hard in order to leave an impact on the high school’s wrestling program.

“Every time he goes out on the mat, he really gives it his all,” Christ said. “He never gives up.”