Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Will Chen

Oswego IL

28 January, 2022

10:18 AM

Description

Will Chen finds himself in a rare position for the wrestling program as he was named captain of the team as only a sophomore. In his first varsity season, the title of captain could be overwhelming for so many other athletes. However, Will's quiet but tenacious demeanor, level-headedness, and willingness to do whatever it takes to make himself and his teammates better make him the right choice for captain, which is why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week. Wrestling became part of Will's life in the 6th grade, something he admittedly joined because his mom wanted him to compete in a sport. By 8th grade, Will realized wrestling was something he had a talent for and decided to become serious about the sport and join the Oswego Wrestling Club. Head coach Paul Coy believes Will is the best man for the job, not only as a wrestler but as a person. "Will is a quiet but funny person," says Paul. He goes on to add, "When he is on the mat, he turns into a competitor. He has wrestled some tough matches, even during injuries. The way he practices and competes on the mat is something we hope other wrestlers will take notice of and train in the same manner." Wrestling in the 182 weight bracket, Will often gives up 10-12 pounds to heavier athletes but is willing to wrestle up a weight class because it is best for the team. Will's mother, Linda Jesinowski, understands more than anyone how her son's unselfishness affects those around him, saying, "As an athlete, William is very tenacious, and being a team player is incredibly important to him, says Linda. Will's first varsity season has been a learning experience, having amassed a 16-13 record for the varsity team. "William is only a sophomore, and we are a young team overall with only a few juniors and 2 seniors," says Paul. He goes on to say, "He has a good training partner in Aidan Pinto, and they work daily to push each other to new levels." An individual goal for Will is to make it out of the regional tournament this season and eventually find himself standing on a podium during his career at East. Will's strengths as a wrestler carry over to the classroom by finding ways to combine his passion for wrestling and academics. "Will is a very studious and pensive student," says Joi Jordan, Will's English teacher. She goes on to say, "He cares about his grades and always puts forth a great deal of effort. He is willing to take on any task and does a fantastic job of taking feedback and making academic and personal changes when needed. He recognizes his strengths and weaknesses and tries to improve in class and on the mat. His passion for wrestling is unmatched. When he writes about wrestling he can look at several viewpoints and analyze his performance." The daily structure Will has set out for himself puts him in a position to succeed, both on the mat and academically. "As a student, Will is surprisingly structured with his time," says Linda. She goes on to say, "he prefers to do his homework right after school or practice, and he gets to bed early the same time every night, something he instilled in himself." As only a sophomore, Will has plenty of time to grow as a wrestler, student, and person. In the future, Will is interested in pursuing a field that has a hands-on approach, such as engineering. There is little doubt that Will's mindset will help him flourish in both academics and athletics, saying, "I know the more I push myself the more I am going to win." The benefit of Will being a captain as only a sophomore means the wrestling program will have a leader and competitor they can look up to for two more seasons after this year. With time to grow as a wrestler and captain, Will already understands what it takes to succeed, advising future Wolves by saying, "Always apply yourself to the best of your capabilities if you want to succeed and get good grades." Having a growth mindset such as Will's and the passion and desire to win means the Wolves will be in good hands for years to come.