This winter break, wrestlers from St. Mary’s and Seisen had the opportunity to travel to Okinawa, Japan, for an exciting wrestling tournament, Rumble on the Rock. The tournament had over 400 wrestlers, and St. Marys and Seisen put forth their best efforts to become the weight-class champions.
The tournament was held at Kadena High School, and St. Mary’s won 2 of the 12 total weight classes; 152 lb Nathaniel Twohig (’25) and 189lb Roman Leyko (’25) were the weight class champions. With powerful teams like Kadena, Kubasaki, and local Japanese teams competing, it was an opportunity for both St. Mary’s and Seisen to understand what teams outside of the Kanto region had. Although some St. Mary’s and Seisen wrestlers didn’t get what they wanted, facing and embracing more formidable opponents was significant in all the matches. As Seisen’s athletes approached wrestling with confidence, it only motivated the whole team to elevate our performance.
Beyond the mat, the rest of the trip allowed wrestlers to explore Okinawa’s prefecture. Eating traditional Okinawa foods, visiting the beach near the hotel, and visiting the American Village helped the athletes connect to the island’s history and gain a deeper appreciation for its customs. The trip was about competing to win, bonding with the team, and making new friends from different schools.
This trip would not have been possible without the help of SMPA, assistant coaches, and all the people who helped contribute to the event’s success. As it is winter break, it is tough for all the participants to book flights and hotels.
