The 2024-2025 season proved monumental for the Damascus Swarmin’ Hornets, going undefeated the entirety of the season. The team has been ruling the county with an iron fist; senior Tobin Gruner came back from an injury without losing a step, and rising junior Cooper Spoales is going undefeated so far this season. Will the remainder of this season be smooth sailing? Going against the likes of Sherwood, Magruder, Clarksburg, Springbrook, and Churchill, Damascus has always remained on top in this sport.
In previous seasons, the Damascus wrestling team has built up a strong reputation for themselves. The wrestling program holds several state championships, ten dual state championships and nineteen county championships.
The Damascus wrestling program is by no means easy. Practices run from Mondays up to Saturday, depending on whether or not the athletes have a match or tournament going on. Athletes complete a strong variety of exercises which include running up hills, bleachers, and wrestling against each other for hours without end. Porter Gruner, a senior and Damascus wrestling captain, stated, “Before practice we could be training for power one day and another day we could be training for endurance. We go on long runs that incorporate short bursts of energy to stimulate matches. When we practice, we hone and refine our skills. We work on offense, defense, bottom and top.” Porter also emphasized the mental aspect of wrestling sharing “I took away multiple aspects from wrestling, such as life skills and work skills… Wrestling has definitely given me multiple things I can carry on with me through my life. Wrestling is not all about the sport, but also learning how to become a better person.” As of 2024/2025 season, Porter has recently celebrated his hundredth win.
Tobin Gruner, Porter’s twin brother who also wrestles, also gave his perspective when we asked what his wrestling career was like. He stated “My coaches pushed us to get better every single day in practice, pushing us to be our absolute best, to become better wrestlers. Coach Beall, being our character coach and my pastor, conditioned us, motivated us, and taught us that wrestling isn’t only about what happens on the mat.” Tobin also gave advice to those who may be interested in wrestling saying “To the younger guys, every single person has what it takes to be great… You have all the tools you need to succeed. You have the best coaches and the best program. Set goals, buy into what the coaches have for you, and make the sacrifices necessary to do something great.”
The wrestling season is set to end on Mar. 1st, 2025. Currently the 2024/2025 wrestling roster has over twenty athletes which includes a good chunk of seniors. This includes athletes such as TJ Gottesman, Porter and Tobin Gruner, Gabe Hernandez, Caleb Pickering, Evan Willis, Tanner Harman, and Owen Jaramillo. While there’s still a whole month left of the season, the wrestling team has been doing an excellent job and we can’t wait to see the Damascus wrestling team continue to fight on with strong tradition and excellence. Go Hornets!
