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03/16/2022 12:00 AMSam Young had great expectations for the Haddam- Killingworth wrestling team entering the 2022 season. Sam wanted to help the Cougars win a state title and then qualify for the State Open, and that’s exactly what the senior captain accomplished on the mat this winter.
Sam took first place in the 195-pound weight class at the Class S State Championship by earning a pinfall victory in his title bout. Sam’s performance helped H-K claim its first state crown in program history as the Cougars finished 83 points ahead of runner-up Killingly on their way to winning the Class S meet.
“My favorite moment wrestling was winning a championship this year. Ever since I was a freshman, my goal in high school was to win a state championship as a wrestler,” says Sam. “This year, to not only be an individual state champion, but to win as a team for the first time in school history was beyond words.”
Sam finished his senior season with an overall record of 32-2. After capturing the Class S title in the 195-pound division, Sam went on to finish second at the State Open and then won two matches at the New England Championship. The most rewarding part of Sam’s success was how he reaped the benefits of all the training that he put in behind the scenes.
“The best thing about wrestling is the training. Wrestling training is different from other sports, because you can’t get better without consistent training partners,” Sam says. “I’m super grateful for my training partners who push me to get better and work harder every practice. There’s a saying in wrestling: ‘Iron sharpens iron.’ This year’s group of seniors was something special as we’ve been wrestling with each other for over six years, and there’s no one I’d rather train with.”
Sam credits his parents, Elizabeth and Michael, for helping him progress as a wrestler. From his mother’s talks on mindfulness and meditation to his father’s constant support at every meet, Sam’s parents were integral in his success.
“My father played a key role in my development as a wrestler. Since before I could walk, my dad constantly wrestled with me. Some of my fondest childhood memories are our wrestling matches before bed in a corner of our house that we call the fight spot,” says Sam. “While my dad has always been an important part of my athletics, like coaching my youth lacrosse teams, this year has been different. We both knew this year was the last time I would be competing on the mat, so I needed to make it count. His constant love and support through the good and bad let me wrestle with everything I had.”
Of course, Sam has also learned a lot about wrestling from H-K Head Coach Nick Adler and Assistant Coach Ken Markwat. Sam has strong relationships with both of his coaches, and they’ve always encouraged him to wrestle to the best of his ability.
“I’ve never had coaches like them. Their level of respect to the team, each other, and the practice of wrestling is incredibly humbling. Their attitude toward consistent hard work in and out of the wrestling room is what separates the H-K wrestling team from others,” Sam says. “The confidence I have in my coaches and they have in me has always allowed me to perform my best. Whenever I’m fatigued or in a tough match, seeing them calm and collected in my corner reassures me that I have all the tools to succeed.”
Coach Adler commends Sam for being one of the top leaders for the Cougars. Adler knows that Sam is a major reason why H-K took home its first state championship this season.
“Sam was a great wrestler and leader on the team,” says Adler. “He was one of the bookends to our meat grinder and a great example for the younger members of the team. He will definitely be missed next season.”
Wrestling through the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be one of the toughest struggles of Sam’s career. After seeing his junior campaign get canceled, Sam worked hard throughout the offseason and put on some extra muscle to come out strong for his senior year.
“To improve my game, I lifted weights constantly. I first started lifting weights during the initial start of quarantine. Since then, I’ve gained over 40 pounds of muscle,” Sam says. “As well as physically, I work on my mental wrestling game by watching NCAA wrestling. I’m a big fan of the Penn State wrestling team and watch their matches daily.”
Once Sam graduates from H-K, he is slated to attend the University of Utah to study biology in the honors program. Aside from wrestling, Sam enjoys singing and playing the piano, which he will continue doing in college.
“I have been playing piano for over nine years and I have won All-State honors as a singer,” says Sam. “Whatever remaining free time I have goes into time spent outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, hunting, or fishing, I love the outdoors.”