GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- The Ottawa Hills Bengals enter the upcoming wrestling season with a renewed sense of ambition, guided once again by head coach Ryan Davis. With a roster blending seasoned seniors and hungry newcomers, the team is shaping its identity through hard work, discipline, and a shared passion for the sport.
Senior Akeelah Howard is one of the athletes helping to shape that identity, bringing fresh energy to the team’s growing girls program. Howard, who will wrestle in the 115-pound weight class, is still early in her wrestling journey, but she has embraced both the challenges and excitement of learning such a demanding sport. Even as a newcomer, she says the experience already carries weight. “I’m new to the sport, as are all the girls on the team, but so far it kind of feels like you have something to prove,” she said. “It’s really fun. I feel like we’re all on even turf. We’re learning new moves, and my teammates are helpful.” Sophomore Eric De Leon-Gramajo, wrestling at 215 pounds, is another athlete early in his wrestling career, yet he has quickly found a passion for the physicality and strategy of the mat. Deleon has embraced learning the basics, such as the double-leg takedown, which he calls his favorite move due to its simplicity and effectiveness. When asked about what he loves the most, Deleon shared, “I love grappling the most. It gets you to want to win. I’ve only been wrestling for like two to three months, but I’ve learned to not get scared and to just go for it.” For athletes like Deleon, wrestling offers a unique combination of physical challenge and mental growth, pushing him to develop confidence and resilience.
For seniors such as Carson Johnson, wrestling at 138 pounds, the sport is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Johnson views wrestling as an opportunity to push personal limits, preparing for high-pressure situations on and off the mat. “When you’re in practice, you really want to go all out. It’s a mental and physical thing to push yourself so that when you get into high-pressure situations, you can handle the intensity,” he says. Johnson also appreciates the balance between individual effort and team support. “You’re wrestling solo, but you always have a team behind you, so you’re never actually alone,” he adds. His perspective underscores a central principle of the Bengals’ program: individual growth contributes to overall team success.
Anchoring the team is senior Nick Ladomato-Fisher, who competes at 215 pounds and brings both skill and leadership to the mat. Nick’s preparation is meticulous, stemming from club wrestling experience with Michigan Premier over the summer and fall. His offseason training has emphasized maintaining progress, refining technique, and building a foundation for a successful season. “The focus of practice has been not losing progress,” he explains. “I did a club over break and during the summer and fall, so I got really good there. I’ve been trying to maintain that, digest that, and apply it.”
Ladomato-Fisher also exemplifies the discipline required to compete at a high level, paying careful attention to both nutrition and hydration. “My weight maintenance always starts with water,” he explains. He drinks at least a gallon daily, adding a bit of salt to maintain electrolytes, and follows a diet focused on chicken, rice, fruits, vegetables, and occasional protein bars or yogurt. He also monitors calories carefully to stay within his weight class, never dropping pounds in an unhealthy manner. This meticulous approach to physical and mental preparation sets a high standard for the team and positions him as a likely top point scorer this season.
With strong senior leadership, promising newcomers, and a shared commitment to growth, the Bengals are poised for a competitive and exciting season. Their focus on discipline, technique, and mental toughness reflects a program built not just on winning, but on developing athletes who can succeed individually and as a team.
Important Season Dates
- First Meet: December 3
- OK White Conference Meet: February 6
- Team Districts: February 11–12
- Individual Districts: February 14 (boys) and February 15 (girls)
