It is not easy to engage in an all out battle versus another individual for a period of six minutes. Neither is it easy to train your body to operate at peak performance for such a long time. The most difficult factor of all, however, is actively competing in a physical sport against someone that off the mat, would normally be one of your best friends. Getting through the trying experiences that wrestling offers for each individual is never easy, but the bond that teammates form through going against each other is one that lasts a lifetime.

The most notable team building aspect that is unique to wrestling is the “sparring partner” practice layout. Wrestlers of similar weights train and improve in pairs through live, match-like scenarios going full speed against each other. The intensity of these situations can often lead to emotion, such as anger or frustration, but after the event, the bond formed between the two wrestlers is one of the strongest that can be made.

“Iron sharpens iron,” said wrestling head coach Mike Schneider. “We…as wrestlers ensure that we are given the team and our partners the best we can.”

This “best” goes multiple ways; one being that the wrestling skills of each individual’s partner and the team go up by competition against each other. The second is being the “best” teammate as possible, which unites the team and causes the unique bond between sparring partners.

“Wrestlers support each other,” said wrestling assistant coach Mark Miedona. “Even later in life, fellow wrestlers stay connected.”

The lifelong connection between sparring partners and teammates in wrestling is a testimony to the unity that wrestlers form with each other. To be able to conquer the challenge presented by one of the most difficult sports is a task that cannot be done alone, meaning that teammates must rely on each other to succeed. Regardless of their differences, wrestlers conquer the immense challenges presented together as one, fully united team.