By Katherine Ross
Sports Editor

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ine countries, 76 wrestlers in the weight class, eight All-Americans, one Alex Monaco.

Monaco, a FFHS junior, was joined by freshman Connor Hughes, junior Landon Leithauser and senior Andrew Griffin to compete at the 24th Annual National High School Coaches Association National High School Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach, Va.  More than 2,700 wrestlers from all over the world took part in the event held April 3-7 that was attended by more than 200 college scouts.

“I have been coaching for 13 years and this is the first time I have ever had one go to nationals so I feel pretty good about this group,” head wrestling coach Shane Baum said. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this level.”

All four national competitors also took part in the 2013 North Carolina High School Athletic Association Wrestling State Championships in Greensboro, N.C.

“It was such an amazing opportunity to compete against wrestlers from not just every state but from other nations as well,” Griffin said. “There were wrestlers from Germany and other European countries. To be able to wrestle against and even just watch the best of the best was an experience I’ll never forget.”

All four athletes performed admirably at the national event, but Monaco earned special recognition by placing eighth in the 132-LB junior division which earned him the recognition of being an All-American high school wrestler.

“Going into nationals I did not expect to place in the top eight but as the tournament progressed I realized I could and it motivated me even more,” Monaco said. “I met my dream goal but as soon as I did I wanted to beat it. I don’t like top eight, I want to make top four.”

His dedication to improve not only impacts Monaco’s tournament performance but his everyday routine. Monaco works out four times a day: during empower time, during weightlifting class, at football workouts right after school, and with the wrestling team at practice.

Monaco believes he owes special gratitude for the support of his coaches and team.

“Wrestling with my teammates at practice has gotten me so much better. And of course my coach taking us to nationals and training me has helped get me to where I am,” Monaco said. “I am very thankful for them.”

Monaco said that he strived to win states this year and go top eight in his senior season, but now that he has exceeded his expectations he has reevaluated next year’s goal and set a clear objective, “Two-time state champ, undefeated senior season, national champ.”

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