How Tough? Stuy Tough?

“How tough? Stuy tough. How tough? Stuy tough. How tough? Stuy tough. Spartans!” The chant of the Stuyvesant boys’ varsity wrestling team rings loud and clear before and after every match. As each wrestler proudly cheers, the camaraderie amongst them is undeniable—regardless of skill level or experience. 

The boys’ wrestling season takes place during the PSAL winter season. Although there is a girls-only season in the spring, the winter team remains co-educational, despite still being referred to as the varsity boys’ team. The Spartans began training as early as October—one month before their official season started—since the team anticipated a strong performance following the high of last season. During the 2023-2024 season, the Spartans performed exceptionally well, qualifying for the playoffs and boasting four city placers. Their success earned them a promotion from Division 1A, where they had competed for years, to the more competitive Division 2A. This shift meant tougher opponents and six matches spread across Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, plus two extra mandatory matches to meet the league’s minimum of eight matches per season—a rule implemented last year. 

The Spartan’s first match of the season was against Dewitt Clinton; they secured a victory of 48-30, and eight out of 12 wrestlers won their bouts. It was the perfect kickoff to the season. Spirits remained high as the team continued rigorous training, drilling techniques like low singles and takedowns every day after school. However, their next match was against Brooklyn Technical High School—a team known for its depth and experience.

Some Spartans had previously trained at Brooklyn Tech’s open club during the offseason and knew firsthand how formidable their opponents would be. Sophomore Hanjoo Kim, one of these wrestlers, noted the contrast between the two teams: “People at Stuy sometimes rested for excessive amounts of time…but at the B Tech practice, no one rested and everyone tried pretty hard,” Kim described. 

The match against Brooklyn Tech, which ended in a 17-59 loss, was an early hurdle. The Spartans had to confront the reality of competing in a higher division. Key wrestlers from their previous season, who had greatly contributed to the team’s promotion, did not return, and a strong senior class had graduated. New starters such as juniors Jayden Chu, Jillian Ly, James Sun, and senior Brandon Waworuntu had to step up. Meanwhile, new captains—junior Asan Ali and seniors Jeffrey Huang, Eric Ortiz, and Koyo Keiter—had to learn how to lead practices and guide the team. 

Waworuntu shared how the added responsibility affected him: “I had to wrestle every match against every school we went against…I was very nervous and didn’t feel prepared at first. I had to work a lot harder because my team was counting on me,” he said. His transition from team member to cornerstone competitor mirrored the team’s broader challenge: rising to the occasion amidst change. The pressure wasn’t just about winning—it was also about showing up for each other. 

However, the team’s challenges didn’t end there. Due to PSAL budget cuts, nearly half of the team’s scheduled tournaments were canceled, limiting essential mat time. As a result, many wrestlers lacked the experience they needed to compete at the highest level. Wrestlers also expressed frustration with Stuyvesant’s limited funding for athletics. Junior James Sun said, “I think that our team deserves more funding in school. For the past few seasons, we have always held practices in the dance studio, which is really cramped. We can’t even roll our mats out completely.” He believes that better facilities, like a larger gym, would tremendously benefit the team. 

As the season progressed, there was a noticeable shift in morale. The early season’s novelty began to wear off, and both physical and mental fatigue took a toll. A significant number of wrestlers quit midway through the season, struggling to balance sports, academics, and other commitments. Injuries also piled up, and some athletes took extended time to rest. This put even more pressure on the novice starters and captains, who were already juggling added responsibilities. As losses mounted, disappointment began to set in. Junior Dickson Jiang summarized the team’s performance honestly: “Our season as a team wasn’t the best, but I do think that some individuals had a pretty good season. We didn’t really win [much] teamwise, and we definitely lost way more meets than we hoped. It was disappointing that we didn’t make playoffs too,” he said. “I think the major reason why I see this season as such is because everyone knew they could’ve done better, and we could’ve [done] way more than we actually did.” 

Still, the Spartans fought on, securing two more victories: one against Grand Street Campus (42-32) and another against their biggest rival, the Bronx High School of Science (39-30). According to Jiang, the Bronx Science win was particularly sweet. “They were feeling confident against us. Their coach even believed that we stood no chance against them,” he described. However, the Spartans proved them wrong. Seven wrestlers won their bouts, and both Keiter and Huang pinned their opponents, securing the maximum possible points and sealing the upset. 

Other highlights of the season included hosting their own tournament—only the fourth in school history—and having every starter qualify for Boroughs. Tournaments are always high-energy events; athletes gather to showcase their skills. For Stuy, it was a chance to regroup and shine. Ly said, “Being with my team was really rewarding. Wrestling tournaments are always so emotional and intense, and just having your team there cheering for you really lifts you up. It’s an indescribable feeling.” At Boroughs, Keiter and junior Muhammadjon Obruyev placed first and third, respectively, earning them spots at Cities—the biggest PSAL championship in New York. To qualify, wrestlers needed to place at least third in their respective weight class of the Manhattan division. 

Off the mat, the Spartans are just as close. Ortiz emphasized the team’s sense of tradition. “We are like a family,” he said. Ali agreed, highlighting their beloved team dinners. Even after spending entire days together at tournaments and hours at practice, the team often gathered at one another’s homes to bond and celebrate. This camaraderie kept them grounded, even during a tough season. Their love for both the sport and each other shines through in their optimism for next year. 

Junior Alvern Chen highly encourages newcomers to join. “For people who want to join the team but are too scared, just join. This is the best choice I’ve ever made in my life. I regret not joining as a freshman because it has built me as a person from the bottom up. Not only have I gotten stronger, I’ve gotten healthier and more active; I feel more confident about myself. There is no disadvantage in joining. See if you like it out. Try it out. You’re all welcome, and we need more of you people,” he said. 

Many Spartans echoed that sentiment, describing the intrinsic value they discovered through wrestling. Like Chen, Sun shared how the sport taught him dedication and perseverance. Senior Lillian Engber added, “For me, it’s not really about winning. It’s about enjoying the sport and improving, which I feel is way more important.” For many on the team, wrestling became more than a sport—it became a transformative journey of growth, resilience, and community. 

As they plan ahead for next season, many Spartans are already back on the grind. Some have continued training with Brooklyn Tech, while others have joined free programs like Beat the Streets—a nonprofit that funds wrestling practices for New York City high schoolers. A few have enrolled in private clubs such as Willpower Wrestling or are cross-training in martial arts like jiu-jitsu. The team is also placing a greater emphasis on strength training and endurance. “Strength has always been a big issue for us. Cardio is also a big aspect of wrestling,” Ali explained. 

Although the season didn’t unfold as the Spartans had hoped, they refused to let their results define them. If anything, this year tested their resilience and unity—and they proved to be strong in both. With the right mindset and continued hard work, the Spartans are poised for a comeback.