Clarke Central High School wrestlers are encouraged to eat healthy in order to successfully manage their weight. Senior Shimobi Obijuru, who has been wrestling since his sophmore year, is thankful that he has never had to drop a significant amount of weight, but still eats healthier foods during the season. “I tend to eat healthier on season because it’s important to keep your body in good physical condition during the season so you can perform well,” Obijuru said. Photo by Julie Alpaugh.
By ANA ALDRIDGE – Staff Writer
Clarke Central High School wrestlers have begun dieting and exercising to ensure success in this year’s season, while moving away from unhealthy weight loss strategies.
As wrestling season approaches, head varsity wrestling coach Tim Stoudenmire is cautioning his wrestlers away from the traditionally encouraged practice of extreme weight loss by advocating nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight.
“We eat very healthy, and I try to promote that within my wrestling team. And we try to be as efficient as we can with our weight and our body in regards to how we perform,” Stoudenmire said.
The fear of dangerous weight loss in wrestling stemmed from a series of wrestlers’ deaths in 1997. The deaths all occurred soon after arduous workouts to lose weight, and sparked a national debate on the risks of extreme weight loss in wrestling. In response to this, several regulations were enacted, including the Georgia High School Association’s rule that male athletes need a minimum weight of 7% body fat in order to wrestle.
“We don’t fixate on weight classes, they kinda take care of themselves,” said Stoudenmire. “I know that our wrestling program, in regards to our boys being healthy when they get on the mat, (is) doing it the right way.”
Stoudenmire encourages the CCHS wrestling team to maintain a healthy diet instead of skipping meals and other unhealthy habits.
“I pretty much eat whatever I want out of season, or like I eat a lot of protein to try to gain weight and then during wrestling season, I eat really healthy. I eat a lot of vegetables and not much else, no carbs or anything,” senior Tomas Jiminez said.
According to senior Shimobi Obijuru, the team does not go to any extremes when dropping weight, and typically play it safe.
“My team and I just tend to slightly reduce our caloric intake a day or two before, nothing significant or drastic,” Obijuru said.
Stoudenmire believes that although the healthiest forms of weight loss, which are mainly eating healthy and exercising may be the most difficult, they are the most rewarding.
“The majority of things you can buy that are prepackaged, that are easy, don’t offer a lot as far as nutrition goes. You know, if you’ve got to cook it and it takes a little longer, chances are it’s gonna be a little more healthy for you,” Stoudenmire said.
Although Stoudenmire insists his wrestlers maintain a healthy weight, they do not always follow his instruction when dropping weight classes.
“Some (wrestlers) learn the hard way and they struggle with their weight. Some of them have missed weigh-ins because they didn’t take the discipline,” Stoudenmire said.
Jimenez believes that his team is responsible, but explains the pressure that comes with being an athlete can often result in wrestlers losing weight in an unhealthy manner.
“Wrestlers choose to practice unhealthy forms of weight loss sometimes because dieting and exercise isn’t always fast enough to lose however much they need to in order to make weight,” Jimenez said.
Stoudenmire’s perspective on the controversial topic of significant weight loss in wrestling has shifted throughout his career.
“I think me becoming a parent made the biggest difference. Because when you don’t have kids, they’re just your wrestlers,” Stoudenmire said. “But then your perspective on life changes when you become a parent. You start thinking, this is somebody’s kid. If this were my kid, do I want him starving? Do I want him missing meals? Do I want him eating poor? And the answer’s obviously no.”
Stoudemire believes his healthy approach to managing the team’s weight and eating nutritiously is going to be a large factor in their success this season.
“Our focus on healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, training harder, has certainly enhanced our chances of being successful,” Stoudenmire said. “This year we’re gonna contend to win the state championships.”
