By Abby Trubia

Most people don’t understand that wrestling takes more than takedowns and pins. A countless number of hours go into cutting weight before a wrestler can step onto the mat. A lot of sweat, layers, oranges, and weigh ins go into this moment.

On a Monday when returning to practice after the day of rest on Sunday every wrestler weigh ins at his heaviest weight from relaxing the previous day before. They weigh in and begin planning for the weigh in they must pass on Thursday before they dual. Ariel Rodriguez(18) says, “I always come in on Monday knowing how much work I have to do. I can have to lose anywhere from four to eight pounds from the weekend before Thursday.”

People wonder how this rapid weight gain and weight loss occurs. Drinking alone can make a wrestler gain up to 4 pounds in one day without restriction. The weight that is lost and gained is not solid fat weight like most people assume when thinking about weight loss. This weight is lost by dehydration, short term fasting, and extreme sweating. “If I work hard I can lose up to four pounds in one practice of just sweat,” Lucas Halferty senior said. Without close watch it easy for this to get out of control.

One of night of what could be called recovery from a hard day of practice consisting of a good meal and a few liters of waters can result in a three to four pound weight gain the next day. “I remember my coach carrying me to the scale because I was so weak from dehydration and overworked,” Tony Mustari head coach, tells his wrestlers. Wrestling not only takes strength and toughness on the mat but always discipline off the mat. Many wrestlers would argue the easy part comes after weigh ins.