The Season Is Almost Here!

I have quickly formed a routine.. Everyday at 4:15pm I walk up the steps and head to the spot in the wrestling room that is quickly becoming "my perch".  I sit against the wall, tie the laces of my wrestling shoes, and scope out the beginning of practice. Coach Santoro has a gift of being able to know the energy level of the team the moment he walks up the steps. I, however, need about 10 minutes to figure out how everyone is feeling.

The team has been making it easier on me lately though, we are continually working harder and harder has the season creeps closer and closer.  While the energy level picks up I find myself getting more into practice.  Not preparing from competition everyday is still hard for me to get used too, but I am finding ways to fill that gap.  

As a team we look forward to Wednesday's. For the past few weeks we have been told to get outside and away from the mats for the day. This week we called Gimp and played a few games of ultimate frisbee. It was much more successful then when we attempted to play football! Thank you Gimp for playing with us! 

Friday morning we attacked our 645am workout.  We all met Coach behind the Caruso Complex and the guys killed a hill sprint/ stairs workout. I was really proud of the way they responded after a hard week in the wrestling and weight room. In order for us to be successful we all have to give 100%, 100% of the time.. no excuses, no exceptions.. and they gave their 100% this week. 

Our "new home" for Lehigh Wrestling is continuing to take shape. We finally have pictures on the walls and trophies in the cases. We will be adding some hardware to them

these next for seasons. The season is almost here. Not long now! 

One Team. One Heartbeat. Go Hawks! 

What a Week We Had!

First off-- The new Caruso Complex is, without a doubt, the best wrestling facility in the country.  I am not saying it is the biggest (mat space) in the country, but without a doubt it is the head and shoulders above other facilities.  At Lehigh we are truly blessed with the most loyal alumni and we owe a great deal to these kind people. It is with the help of these generous people that we are able to continue to move forward toward success as a wrestling program and as people. Thank you!

So, on campus we have had another amazing week. I am so excited for this year, I can hardly keep from screaming.  The team recognizes the need for change, and we are embracing each and every change that is thrown our way.  We know that in order for us to achieve our goals, sometimes you just need to get out of our own way and recognize that you are apart of something that is far greater than yourself. 

Our workouts continue to get harder and more intense. Our "team building" weekend (a few weeks back) seems to have made an impact.  Our new philosophy: it doesn't matter if your a freshman or a senior --->  If your not doing your job, expect to be called out on it. We are only as good as the person who is having a bad day. Leave your feelings at the door and expect to get better (both athletically and personally) everyday. 

This week our weight room was finally finished (!) & the guys have been putting it to good use.  We have had a few team lifts so far which, now finally can fit the entire team (thank you again alumni). Our time on the mat is proving to be more and more important, especially for our freshman who are eager to stay after and grab someone to work on some technique.

Just like last Wednesday,  Coach told us to get way from the mat and spend the afternoon doing something outside. So the team opted to go to the Lehigh River, where we got in run in, went swimming , tried to out do each other on the rope swing, and had a water ballon fight to end the day. What a blast that was! 

The week was capped off yesterday by the Lehigh Wrestling picnic.  For the few years that I have had the opportunity to attend we have had beautiful weather, and this year was no different. Everyone took advantage of the sunshine and played volleyball, horseshoes and a few other outdoor games.

Our coaching staff is chomping at the bit for the season to finally get here! They are revamped and ready to make an impact this season.  The time is now for Lehigh Wrestling and they are ready and willing to answer the call. 

One Team, One Heartbeat. Go Hawks!

Lehigh Wrestling- One Week Closer

First off: Yesterday (Sept. 8) was perhaps the most important day in our sports long and storied history. After months of waiting…. it's official: WRESTLING IS BACK IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES! I personally would like to extend my gratitude to every member of the wrestling community who had a part in the IOC’s decision. The hard work of a few, kept the dream alive for many.  

We #SavedOlympicWrestling

At Lehigh the team had a great week.  The new Caruso Complex is proving be the ideal facility in the country.  We are slowing making it our own and I am excited to see the impact it will have on the upcoming season.

Our preparation this year is already proving to be different than I have experienced in the past. Its time for each of us to step up our commitment to the team and push each other to a new level. Our captain lead open room practices are becoming more intense as preseason is quickly creeping toward us.  Although we are a young team, we are not allowing that to be an excuse, we just have to train harder and smarter than everyone else.

On Wednesday coach wanted us to get off the mats for a day, so we headed over to Goodman Campus and tested out our football skills.  Although we all had a blast, the football was.. well.. awful!  We all now know we should stick to wrestling. ( I think at one point there was 4 interceptions in a row) After the game we headed to a team BBQ, which had WAY to much food (thank you Linda).  Although we didn’t touch the mat on Wednesday, the team made some great strides toward success.  The more we enjoy each other’s company, the more willing we are to go to battle for each other.

We are one week closer to the NCAA tournament and therefore one week closer to our goal.  I am eager to see what this next week has in store for Lehigh Wrestling.

One team. One heartbeat. Go Hawks!

Welcome to Lehigh Wrestling

Hello and Welcome to my blog. My name is Eric Hess and I have been given the privilege of being a member of the Lehigh University wrestling team. Unfortunately, due to ongoing health issues, stemming from chemotherapy, I have been medically sidelined from competition. I will be updating this blog weekly as a class project, and I hope to give all of you an inside look to my team. Enjoy!

This past week has been extremely influential for every member of my team. We all are now completely in-sync on what our goals are for the incoming season.  Everyones passion for the success of our squad is already beginning to bleed out, and we are ready to move forward toward a national title.

Each and every one of us understands that we have a lot of work to do, but I promise you that we will not stop working until we achieve our goals. Our program has been built on the backs of those who came before us, and we intend to honor them by giving everything we have to ourselves and to our teammates… 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Today we had a team meeting to discuss the upcoming week and reinforce what the goals of Lehigh Wrestling are for the upcoming season.   Personally, I want to be on the mat with everyone training and preparing for the competition.  No matter how hard it is for me, I must continue to accept my new role. I am now behind the bench…. behind the scenes… and although I am not on the mat I will always do what ever I can to help my team be successful.  I intend to give you a different perspective to my team and my sport, and I thank you for following along.