A team that’s really close. We’ve heard the story before. But what about a team that’s so close it’s actually improving the outcome of their matches?

I mean, it’s not that hard to imagine.

Okay, what about this one. A team that’s so close that they actually enjoy early morning practices? I guess the grind never stops? Oh wait, I forgot. These were also during winter break.

Here’s the thing. I understand passion for your sport, and that is important. But getting up at 8 (yeah, we checked the schedule) to come back to the place you get to be away from for a week? Sounds bearable, but not exactly exciting.

This team has a much different view. In fact, sophomore Jacob Benes says that these practices were the best experience that he’s had so far this season. Simply put, he said that the work was tough, but being able to get up and work that early was actually a good thing.

So, they like to practice. They also like to win.

Many of the wrestling team’s individual and team goals consist of winning and preparing for winning. This includes matches, tournaments, districts, and of course state. Some of the boys’ biggest accomplishments have been beating district opponents and, well, opponents in general.

But they aren’t all boys. Junior Jana Stevenson, a female wrestler, for Liberty has only positive things to say about her teammates. Not surprisingly, she says that her biggest accomplishment this year has been beating her first opponent in a match. She also says that these boys had a key role in helping this to happen.

Surprised? Yeah, me neither.

Between pep talks, and being able to “talk about personal stuff,” Stevenson agrees with everyone else about the closeness of her team.

We talked about the team’s drive to win earlier, but it doesn’t stop with their determination. Let’s talk about one of the most recent matches that they’ve won. This would be the Pacific tournament. Here’s some background information.

Coaches told JV wrestlers two days before the tournament was supposed to take place that they were going to be participating. And they won. The whole thing.

So why am I rambling on about how this team works so well together? Well, I have a theory that isn’t hard to believe.

The closer a team, the better they will do. This isn’t just the case with the wrestling team. Girls swimming, basketball, and many other sports at Liberty are successful because they are comfortable with the people that they are constantly surrounded with.

Maybe comfortable isn’t even the right word.

They are trusting enough to talk about more than just the sport they are playing, confident enough that their teammates will do well to support them every time they have to go against someone.

If you are close with your boys/girls off of the field, mat, or court, you will be close on it as well.

You know that no matter what you go up against they will be there, like a little family to support you.

A brotherhood.