Wrestling is not for the underdog.
Wrestling is one of the most difficult sports in college track and field due to the stress of fighting other humans whole-body. Being restricted to an area of 32 feet in diameter also makes it difficult. But perhaps the most difficult aspect of being a wrestler is diet practice and weight management.
In his 25th season as a wrestling coach in Ohio, Joel Greenlee has some knowledge of how to properly prepare an athlete’s body for competition.
“I think it really comes down to an individual basis,” Greenlee said. If I can do that, I think I’ll have a good gauge of how much weight I can and can’t put on during the season.”
From the coaching staff’s perspective, it comes down to how much effort and care the athletes give their bodies. If you have any questions about how, I’d be happy to help. He uses his own experience as a major factor in this decision.
“I think college athletics resources are much better than they have ever been,” said Greenlee. “As far as dietitians, nutritionists,[you]have to take it and ask me those questions.”
On the other end of the spectrum, athletes have mixed feelings about diet programs, or lack thereof. , was enough time to understand his stance on what was hindering. Hagan, like Greenlee, understands that staying active on a diet is key to success.
“I think the coaches do a lot to help us out. They have a lot of snacks in the locker room…it’s pretty simple for a lot of us after all,” Hagan said. “I just need to get more exercise than I put in. I usually try to cut that out. I try not to drink a lot of calories. I also do six workouts throughout the day.” I try to space out small meals, space them out so that I can speed up my metabolism and burn those calories throughout the day.”
For Hagan, he’s experimenting with different practices. Not only is he a sixth-year athlete, twin brother, Kiran, who is also working for the Bobcats. The ability to experiment with weight and diet management programs is important to Hagan.
“I think when I came in as a freshman, I thought like an idiot I could lose weight,” said Hagan. I think it’s cute and funny that you have to cut past I remember driving all the way to Iowa when I was in first grade and the night before I went to McDonald’s to get something quick I think I was pinned for being in front of 5000 people I saw it uploaded to FloWrestling on my phone and realized this was not funny I managed my diet and solved this problem I decided it needed to be resolved.”
That lifestyle may work for some wrestlers, but others need more guidance from the coaching staff. It’s much better to be lean than to build weight.
“I think you need to lose weight just because the work ethic and training are different,” Greenlee said. “You have to fuel your body the right way. I think I’m more mature than I am, so other things are more important than sheer ability.
A philosophy that Greenlee and the entire Ohio State coaching staff agree on is worthless if the wrestler refuses to embrace it.
“We don’t eat with them,” said Greenlee. “We’re not in dorms every day. You have to figure things out for yourself.”
An older politician in the locker room makes the “buy-in” easier for younger wrestlers. One of his most experienced wrestlers, Hagan knows it’s up to him to lead the way.
“If (someone) is struggling with weight, set an example in the locker room. Tell him what worked for me and instead cut corners, like sweating to lose weight quickly and take easy steps.” “Rather than trying to lose a ton of water late in the day, getting down to a healthy, manageable body fat level… also sucks.” They say eating food eventually makes them feel sick.”
Both Greenlee and Hagan have seen countless wrestlers step onto the mat with varying levels of success. One of the things that has driven the wrestler’s success is his ability to stay physically fit. Ohio has a long season ahead, but under Greenlee’s careful watch and proper nutrition, it will survive.
