The Far East Tournament was a big challenge for St. Mary’s wrestling team. Nathaniel T. (`25) and Roman L. (`25) defended their titles, each becoming three-time champions. Jimin K. (`26) also had an amazing tournament, winning his first Far East championship. Even though not everyone won individual titles, the team gave their best effort and trusted their coaches.
After missing some individual wins, the team focused on winning the dual competition. They worked together, fought hard, and used teamwork to win the championship. Every wrestler played an important role in their victory. In the end, their determination helped them take home the dual title.
The tournament was fun but also very tough. Jimin’s final match was one of the best moments—he was lighter than his Kinnick opponent, but still won his first championship. While some other teams had injuries, St. Mary’s stayed strong and finished without any problems. The three-day event was long and challenging, but they stayed focused until the end.
The biggest lesson from this tournament was “to focus on one match at a time. Thinking too far ahead can be distracting, but staying inthe moment leads to success,” Says Ryan. Next year, the team wants to train harder and win even bigger tournaments. A big thanks to Coaches Yabui, Tatsu, Moshe, and Koslow for all their support.
