The Wildcats bring a fearless mindset to the mats, combining speed, strength, and strategy to outwork their opponents and keep a strong mindset in all of their competitions.
Wrestling is widely regarded as one of the most demanding sports in the world. Tournaments are full of athletes who are determined, dominant and relentless. Beginning in the fall, these athletes train every day and come together as a family to achieve collective strength. Through enduring difficult practices daily, they dedicate themselves to improving strength, technique, and mental toughness, while building the discipline and resilience necessary to succeed both on and off the mat. Wrestling is a sport not always easy to understand, and many people have no idea how much blood, sweat, and tears go into performing well in such a difficult sport.
Senior McKayla Brown has attended Northview since eighth grade. As she concludes her senior year, Brown has committed to Adrian College, where she will continue her wrestling career. When she first arrived at the high school in 2021, Brown joined the wrestling team as the only girl. Over the years, more girls began to join, eventually forming a dedicated girls’ wrestling team of their own. This year, there are a total of eleven girls on the team.
“I got asked to join the team by one of the coaches. I was the only girl on the middle school team,” Brown said. “The team is a very amazing, hardworking, and determined team. We push through every practice every day together. Win, lose, or draw, we’re family at the end.”
The boys’ team has worked hard throughout the season and is finishing their year with the district championship. Wrestling since the first grade, Freshman Breyden Dushane brings years of experience and determination to the mat. He took a four-year break, but started back up in seventh grade and continued to show his dedication to the sport. His season comes to an end after being moved up from the Junior Varsity team to the Varsity. His current record is 18-9. Spending time with the team is something that means a lot to Dushane.
“Overall, I just have great determination for the sport, and putting effort into it,” Dushane said. “I would think of my team as a big family. We kind of all just bond together. If one of us is down, the whole team comes with. So we just try to bring each other up and be the best version of ourselves.”
Senior Aiden Misner has wrestled on varsity since his sophomore year. In first grade, he began wrestling to try out a combat sport, and it stuck with him. Misner has a current record of 32-6. He has built up a good reputation and mindset to help him get through every match.
“I try to get out of my mind, and stay calm and tell myself that I am ready,” Misner said. “Wrestling has disciplined me to become a stronger person.”
Freshman Nayeli Duron has been wrestling since she was four years old. She was inspired by her older brother, Emiliano Duron who also wrestles for Northview. Duron is currently 36-2 on the season for the Wildcats. She enjoys hanging out with the rest of the team, given that they are a fun group to be around. Participating in wrestling has taught life skills, as well as given her goals on which to focus. Wrestling for Duron has also helped with her work ethic, and she is training hard to make it to state this year.
“Wrestling has definitely helped me manage my time more, and I have something to work towards,” Duron said. “My team is energetic, and we work hard, and we are fun to hang out with.”
Wrestling is more than wins and losses or what spectators see during a match. It is about the countless hours spent training, the discipline built through repetition, and the mental toughness developed in the face of challenges. Every practice pushes athletes to be faster, stronger, and more focused while teaching resilience and accountability. Beyond the intensity of the mat, wrestling builds confidence, unity, and a mindset that carries far beyond the gym, leaving a lasting impact long after the season ends.
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