If you think you know what dedication looks like, think again. The wrestlers of our local high schools have just rewritten the playbook on what it means to chase a dream with everything you’ve got — and then some. These kids didn’t just step onto the mat; they stormed it with a ferocity that would make grown men quake.

This season, they’ve shown us that true champions aren’t born — they’re forged through sweat, sacrifice, and sheer, unrelenting will.

Picture this: 5 a.m. wake-ups for tournament trips that stretch into 12-hour marathons, only to lace up again for Day 2. They battled through injuries that would sideline most, kept their grades soaring, and pushed their bodies to the brink—running stairs until their legs buckled, sprinting until collapse was the only option. Some even cut weight, wrestling on empty stomachs with no food or water, fueled solely by their hunger for greatness. That’s not just determination — that’s the heartbeat of a dream in action. Wrestling isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s a brutal proving ground where only the toughest survive. To excel here, you don’t just need talent — you need to be an extraordinary athlete with a fire that refuses to flicker out.

Take Gracee Liske, for example. This powerhouse stormed her way to the State Finals with a season that left jaws on the floor. In her final match, she was dominating 8-0 when a twist of fate — literally — put her on her back. For over a minute, she clawed and fought to break free, but in the end, she claimed a stunning 2nd place — the highest finish for a CHS wrestler since Kyle Caldwell matched that rank in 2020. Gracee’s growth this year wasn’t just impressive; it was a masterclass in resilience. She didn’t do it alone, either. Her fierce teammates — Savvy Grimm, Grace Ayers, Lavender Douglas, and Lenore Geelan — poured their hearts into preparing her for this moment. That’s the kind of squad that turns individual dreams into collective triumphs.

Then there’s Mason Iverson, a Quilcene homeschooler who graced our team for his final senior season. One year with this kid wasn’t enough — he’s a force of nature. With a work ethic that humbles you and an attitude that lifts everyone around him, Mason wrestled his way to a 4th-place finish at state. He didn’t just make us proud; he made his family beam and left an indelible mark on our program. If only we’d had him longer.

And don’t sleep on Grady White, a junior from Port Townsend who turned his season into a highlight reel of grit. This kid didn’t just improve—he transformed, thanks to a work ethic that redefines the phrase “all in.” People toss around “hard work” like it’s a buzzword, but Grady lives it. His effort is the kind that inspires you to get off the couch and do something with your life. His teammates — Rylen Kruse, Manaseh Lanphear Ramirez, and Silas Klontz —matched his intensity step for step, becoming champions not just on the mat, but in the way they carry themselves every single day.

These wrestlers didn’t just compete — they conquered. They showed us that greatness isn’t handed out; it’s earned through early mornings, aching muscles, and a refusal to quit. This season wasn’t just about medals or placements — it was about proving what’s possible when you dare to push past your limits. That’s a lesson worth cheering.

Steve Grimm is the head wrestling coach at Port Townsend High School.