Senior wrestler Joshua Sabbia is wrapping up his final season with just two tournaments left. A two-time SAC champion and two-time state qualifier, Sabbia has earned numerous accolades throughout his wrestling career. With all this success from past years, Sabbia considers this season to be his most challenging yet, facing significant hardships along the way.

“Honestly, it has been the hardest season in my career, not just physically but also mentally,” Sabbia said, “So much is going on during your senior year that sometimes you lose focus, but I don’t think I would be the wrestler that I am without all the challenges I’ve had to face.”

Wrestling is a very physical sport, but many people often disregard the mental side of the sport. Being mentally focused is something that Sabbia has begun to struggle with, and it sometimes affects the way he wrestles.

“The biggest challenge I have had to overcome in wrestling is overcoming my state of mind,” Sabbia said. “I often put too much pressure on myself, so I’ve had to find ways to prepare myself mentally so that I can wrestle to the best of my ability.”

This is Sabbia’s second year as wrestling team captain, and this role comes with a lot of responsibility. He has to ensure all his teammates are in check, and he helps run each practice with the coaches. He also helps a lot with the team’s wrestling technique and is proud to see his teammates incorporate what he’s taught them into their matches. 

“As a captain, I lead the team in our warm-ups in practice and at tournaments, and also just try to help out anyone with any techniques that they are struggling with,” Sabbia said. “I love teaching them new moves because it helps them get better, and sometimes they’ll end up using it in their matches.”

Sabbia has already gone to the state tournament for wrestling twice and hopes to do so again this year. Last year, he was able to finish fourth in his weight class and considers this his greatest accomplishment.

“ I placed 4th in the state last year, and it meant a lot to me, as I felt like I was reaching that next level in wrestling,” Sabbia said. 

Sabbia has to face off in the regional tournament before he can go on to states but is ready for this challenge. He plans on becoming a regional champion, which is something he’s already achieved in his career. He has to go against some fierce competitors and has a couple of rematches in his bracket. Sabbia is pouring out blood, sweat, and tears, to ensure that he will make it to states for his third straight year.

“I workout at my high school practices for about two-three hours, and then I go to my club practices and train for another 2 hours,” Sabbia said, “I like getting that extra work in so that I can be levels ahead of everyone else.”

With this season shortly coming to an end, Sabbia will end his Oviedo wrestling career as one of the team’s best. Ending off this year with a bang is a priority for him, and is cherishing every moment he has left with his teammates. Sabbia wants to send one last message to his teammates, as he owes all his success to his wrestling family.

“I hope that my teammates remember me as a good captain and a good friend, because I truly love my team, and wouldn’t want to be a part of any other one.”