As winter sports head to championships, senior Ian Moccia reflects on his past four years as a member of John Carroll’s varsity wrestling team.

Ian’s wrestling career began at the age of seven “because it was interesting and a different sport than most.”

His favorite part of wrestling is “the friendships you get with the sport.”

Motivated by his friends and family, Ian has had many successful tournaments. Last year, he placed third at the MIAA championship and went on to place fourth at the state level. Currently, he has won first place at the Howdy Duncan Classic and first and fourth at the Solanco Mule Classic.

One of the biggest challenges this year has been the small size of the team, which has led to a “tough season.” Despite this hardship, Ian said they are “a good group who works hard and has potential.”

“Sometimes you don’t always get what you expected or what you wanted. With the season this year and not having many people on the team, I learned to make the best of what I have and always do the best I can, which helps with many things in the future and changes the way people look at you.”

Ian has a word of advice to other aspiring wrestlers. “It will be difficult in the beginning, but try and learn from what you’ve done wrong. Being able to push through this hard sport will teach you a lot and make many things in life easier.”

He hopes to help out with the other wrestlers as much as possible and to do well at States as he looks forward to the rest of his senior season.

With his wrestling career at JC coming to an end, Ian said his favorite memory from his time on the team was “being a freshman looking up to all the seniors and achieving different accomplishments with my teammates.”

Once he graduates, Ian does not plan to continue wrestling in college because “it is such a big commitment,” but he does plan to stay in the gym and focus on school.

When he is not wrestling or at the gym, Ian can be found occasionally playing video games and hanging out with his friends.