BOZEMAN — There’s many different ways to describe Bozeman High School’s wrestling squad this year just by watching them.
Gritty. Strong. Champions. Successful. But senior Chance McLane described it best.
“I’d just say tough,” he said. “I mean, we’re always talking about Hawk tough, so we’re always working hard and trying to be the best team out there.”
The 2018 State AA runner-up returned a handful of individual champions this season, and now is poised for another run to the championship.
“My last two years I thought our team was really good, and I think this year, we just have such a high standard for our wrestlers and that creates a winning team, I guess,” junior Leif Schroeder said. “I mean, we’ve been super close the past few years, won AA duals last year, we won every tournament except for state, and that’s pretty hard to swallow at the end of the year. I was like, ‘Why couldn’t we just finish it off?'”
But the team has continued to stay positive.
“Everything happens for a reason. It just wasn’t meant to be and I think if we just keep working this year we definitely have a shot at it,” Schroeder finished.
So what is the secret to their success?
“There’s no secret, just work hard, that’s about it,” McLane said. “Work hard, practice a lot, try to get better, stronger, faster, and just stay excited, stay on your best.”
But at the core of it all, it’s just plain fun.
“I think that plays a big part, because it’s hard to enjoy something if you don’t like it and I think all of us really like it a lot,” Schroeder said.
“I think when you’re going out with your team and people you like, it just makes it fun, just being together and competing. Especially when you’re winning, it’s fun and a great time,” McLane concluded.
