The Jesuit High School Sacramento wrestling team has had a strong start for the 2024-2025 season. With athletes demonstrating outstanding determination and development through training and meets, it seems there is nothing the team can’t accomplish.

“The team has demonstrated incredible resilience and growth throughout the season,” said Wrestling Head Coach Chris Carlino. “We’ve consistently shown strong performances in both dual meets and tournaments, with wrestlers stepping up to fill key roles. Additionally, our conditioning and ability to compete late into matches have been standout strengths.”

Ulysses “Xavier” Pizano ‘25 attests to the heart that he and his team have shown throughout this season.

“You know, I watch my teammates go out there, and when they wrestle, I can really see they’re putting their effort and their blood, sweat, and tears out into their matches and throughout practice,” Xavier said. “I would definitely have to say we’ve done a good job at putting our full effort throughout this season so far.”

 While the team has been successful, Coach Carlino believes the team needs to work on their alertness as well as their efficiency on the mat.

“While we’ve been solid overall, there’s room to improve our shot defense and mat awareness,” Coach Carlino said. “Some wrestlers need to work on finishing takedowns more efficiently and maintaining control during transitions. These are areas we’ve been emphasizing in practice and will continue to focus on as the season progresses.”

Tristan Pizano ’26 believes that time is what the team needs to reach the next level. 

“Our team could use more experience,” Tristan said. “A lot of our varsity wrestlers are lower-class men and just don’t have enough experience yet. This will just have to come with time and I’m excited to see the team grow.”

For the team to continue their success from last year, they’ll have to maintain their competitive drive and win collectively. Coach Carlino hopes to sharpen each individual wrestlers’ skills in order for them to make it to postseason meets.

“Our goals for the rest of the season are to qualify as many wrestlers as possible for postseason competitions, including sectionals and state,” Coach Carlino said. “We also aim to win upcoming dual meets and continue placing high at tournaments. Individually, we’re working to help each wrestler reach their full potential and improve with every match.”

As the season slowly nears its end, the future for the Jesuit wrestling team seems extremely positive. With the teams’ outstanding grit and resilience, there is no doubt that Jesuit will make its mark on the leaderboards. 

“I’m incredibly proud of how the team has come together this season,” Coach Carlino said. “Wrestling is as much about mental toughness as it is physical ability, and this team has shown both. I’m excited to see how we finish the season and confident that the hard work everyone is putting in will pay off.”