The Rock Creeks High School boys Wrestling Team is no stranger to hardships but the 2024 to 2025 seasons is like no other they have ever faced before. In the 2024 to 2025 season Rock Creeks High School boys Wrestling team had very few seniors which is a huge difference pervious years. Danny Parker, Alex Kraemer, and Kendall Grimes are all the seniors Coach Brad Burenheide has on the roster this year.
Strength coach Mark Oberkrom who works with the team on a more personal level. “I think we have a good, well rounded bunch, from freshmen through seniors that work well together” Oberkrom said. The team was not as affected as most would imagine, since the teamwork and fluidity of the group was strong enough to hold the collective together.
While many teams rely on senior leadership and hold a golden standard of only seniors being good leaders, the wrestlers see it in a whole different light. “ We got a good freshman class that’s really been working hard and…made some gains during this season this year”. Oberkrom said.
Senior Alex Kraemer who has been wrestling since middle school thinks despite the lack of senior power the team’s flow has remained uninterrupted. “Honestly, not much has changed. It’s a very similar dynamic from other years past”. Kraemer said.
Kraemer along with freshman Charles Cullinane also highlighted Danny Parker as a good leader for the team and shares how he has genuinely stepped up and kept the spirit alive in the team. “he’s always been there for me. If I have any questions about wrestling or anything like that, he’s always there to make sure I’m doing good”. Cullinane said.
Cullinane did not only highlight Parker but also all other seniors. “They’ve been really supportive of like the freshmen and helping them since they’re all new since they’re all new, and this is their first year of Varsity it’s low, different for them. And I feel like they’re been helping them a lot” Cullinane said.
Steel also shows great admiration for senior Kendall Grimes “ I think Kendall has been a great leader. I think he’s helped a lot of the younger guys out a lot since there’s a lot of freshmen out this year. I think that him and Brooklyn have helped the boys and the girls” Steel said.
The Rock Creek High School wrestling team were unfazed this season by what most would see as a major setback. It’s safe to say that the varsity boys will continue to impress each other and the coaches as long as the program is alive.
“ I think it more of as a team. I think we do things as a team. It’s an individual sport when you’re on the mat. But still it’s a team” Oberkrom said.
