Winning matches is the best achievement as a high school wrestler, and senior AJ Cashman knows a thing or two about it. As a two-time state qualifier and one-time state placer, Cashman has set his intentions higher than ever this season, and with the help of everybody around him, he believes he can get there.
“I expect to win a state title this year,” Cashman said. “I’ve been to state twice and medaled once [so] this is my last shot. I’m going to make it count.”
His goals are high, but his supporters believe they are all within reach. Support from others is something that keeps him going. His biggest supporters have included an assortment of coaches such as David Pierson and Dylan Lydy, his teacher Jenny Harris and his mother Amber. There is also a significant amount of support from his teammates.
“Wrestling is a very individual team sport so we all find ourselves pushing each other out of our comfort zones to get better,” Cashman said.
As an athlete who has spent most of his high school career at the varsity level, he has a lot of experience, which has made him a leader on his team.
Becoming experienced like this does not go unnoticed. His coaches all recognize what he does to improve his skill set. Head coach Jacob O’Neill said that Cashman’s “love for the sport shines in the room and is contagious.”
Cashman’s teammates notice it as well.
“His personality and his determination for the sport makes him a great person to be around, and his determination makes him stand out and be followed,” senior Kyrel Leavell said.
Cashman has come a long way since the start of his high school career. He bounced between varsity and junior varsity his freshman year, but then he solidified his spot on the varsity roster his sophomore year and became a state qualifier. In his junior year, he improved once again as he returned to the state finals but this time returned with a fourth-place finish. As he strives for the top spot this season, the work he puts in will need to be at the highest level. Luckily, his coaches are excited and ready to help him in this endeavor.
“We’re helping him get better by providing him with the best opportunities possible, pushing him at practice and supporting him in every way we can,” O’Neill said.
Overall, everybody around Cashman is hoping to see him reach his full potential this season and be happy with what he accomplishes.
“I hope he gets it done and gets on the top of the podium,” 2023 graduate Mikey Durham said.