:10 Seconds with Alex Gerhold

The wrestling team is off to one of their best starts in recent memory, and a reason for the turn around can be because of Junior captain Alex Gerhold (Derry, N.H.). The Panthers currently have a 3-1 record, and are coming off finishing 2^nd in the Ted Reese Invitational last weekend in Southern Maine. Gerhold, who wrestles in the very competitive 149-pound division, was unable to compete in the meet, but looks to improve on his 2-4 record for the 2013-2014 season. I sat down to talk to Gerhold, and it has become apparent to me that there is a new feel and atmosphere for the wrestling team.

How long have you been wrestling for?

AG- I started when I was in sixth grade, so about ten years.

How does the wrestling team look for the rest of the 2013-2014 season?

AG- A lot better then last year! We are only getting better right now. We are making huge strides already.

What is your most memorable moment in your wrestling career?

AG- Probably when I made the New England's my junior year of high school.  It opened my eyes to see that "maybe I can do this, maybe I can be elite". It was definitely eye-opening.

What was your "Welcome to wrestling" moment in your Plymouth career?

AG- Our very first meet. We went to Pennsylvania, and I didn't know what elite Division III wrestlers were like. I wrestled an All-American my first varsity match, and I just got worked!

Do you have any superstitions on game-day?

AG- (pauses for a bit) Everyone has their own thing they do to warm up before a match. I don't really have any superstitions; I just go out there and wrestle. My socks have to be matching, and that's about it. 

If I were to look at your IPod/iTunes/etc., what would be the five most played songs?

AG- Fortunate Sun by CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Somethin' 'Bout A Truck (by Kip Moore), Up Around the Bend (by CCR), Wake Me Up (by Avicii), and I like that song Demons (by Imagine Dragons), that one has been getting to me.

 What are your thoughts on first year Head Coach Ryan Schieding?

AG- He's the man! He's awesome! He is so personable, and we can go approach him with anything. He wasn't here too long ago. He is our coach, but he is someone who we can look to talk to whenever we want. He is a great coach, and I couldn't ask for any more.

Who/What is the biggest turnaround for the team this season compared to last year?

AG- Him (Schieding), being number one. With him brings a different atmosphere into the room, and that makes everyone wants to be there. Everyone wants to show up, and work hard. Last year, the room had a lot of negative energy around it, and then this year, when you walk in, people are laughing, and not hating their lives. Kids want to be there, and want to wrestle, and want to get better, and it is really nice to see that. It is really nice to see everyone want to work hard for a program that hasn't had a lot of history to show, especially because of last year. It definitely makes me want to wrestle more. This year, when we have to practice, it is like "alright, I got this!" We know how he is going to run it, and we like it better.

How tough is it to constantly be on the road for the majority of the matches/meets you guys have this year?

AG- It kinda stinks. It stinks having to get up and travel at 2 or 3 in the morning. But, you know, there is something about that, that I don't mind the bus rides there and back for some reason. They suck, but it is part of the deal, and it is part of the team. For home meets, we would have to unroll the mats, and bring them out, and all of that all the time, and I am not hating on not doing that! There are worse things in the sport then traveling, and I don't mind it.

Where do you hope to see this team in five years as an alumni?

AG- I want to see this team ranked in the country under Ryan Schieding. I want to see them ranked in the country with All-Americans like it is nothing.