It's All About Heart for Joey Zedan
It’s no secret, wrestling conditioning has one of the most intense training programs among all of the sports at Potomac Falls High School. However, it is the secret to their success. Junior Joey Zedan, a varsity wrestler since his freshman year, states that what keeps him going through all of the hard work is an understanding that he’ll be the most conditioned wrestler on the mat. “The hard training is what has made me better through the past years,” says Zedan.
The first week of tryouts and practice is affectionately referred to by the wrestlers as “Hell Week.” Why? “Because it is unlike anything else that you have ever experienced. The first two things that you think about when you get home are food and sleep,” says Zedan. Another major part that factors into the life of a wrestler during the season is his diet. “I really watch what I eat; I try to stay away from junk food and foods high in sugar and fat. I eat a lot of energy bars and drink a lot of Gatorade,” says Zedan, who also works hard to stay in shape outside of the season. “I go to Gold’s Gym and I play off-season lacrosse, and do off-season wrestling tournaments,” he says.
Zedan began wrestling when he was 14, in 8th grade, after talking to his PE teacher, Kris Kelicon who coached the sport. Kelicon was the head varsity coach at Potomac Falls last year. In his spare time, Zedan is a member of Varsity Club, the National Honors Society, is an Eagle Scout, and plays lacrosse for Potomac Falls in the spring.
With a new head coach, Rob Puterio, the team has only had changes for the better. They are still working just as hard as they did last year. However, one major difference is that most of the older wrestlers have graduated, leaving only one senior and nine new players to the varsity lineup. It is Puterio’s ninth year coaching wrestling, and his first as a head coach. “He [Puterio] expects a lot out of you, he expects the best all the time, on the mat and in practice, and he is always striving for me to do better. He sets high standards for you and pushes you to the extent in which you can reach those high standards. He pushes you off the mat as well, we must maintain good grades,” says Zedan.
“My favorite part of wrestling is the feeling you get after winning and working so hard; it’s just you and your opponent on the mat,” says Zedan. However, there are a few downfalls.
“The hardest part is knowing that when you’re on the mat there’s no one to help you, it’s a heart driven sport,” says Zedan, “Wrestling tests every part of your character and there is nobody to point fingers at but yourself.”
Last month Potomac Falls had a 3-3 record in the Dulles District, and a 10-18 overall record, it is evident that the Panther’s hard work has paid off. Until the tournament began on February 18, they worked as hard as possible in hopes of maintaining the title of Dulles District champions. “We need to work hard for the next two weeks, have practices before school, and focus on attaining our goal of winning the district,” says Zedan. Even if they do not win the title again, the players are still happy with their performance and efforts this season. Zedan says, “I am extremely proud of how our wrestling styles have changed on the mat; our styles have changed mentally and physically.”
Zedan sets high standards for himself, as well as the team. “I would like to win the district tournament as an individual, thus helping my team in the district,” he says. For the remainder of high school, Zedan’s goals are to keep his grades up and place in regionals, and to place in states by his senior year.
With hard work and an extreme amount of dedication, the students, coaches, and wrestlers believe that the Panthers wrestlers have an excellent shot at clinching the victory at districts.
