Abington Sophomore Jesse Spinney won first place at the Scituate tournament for the Abington/Rockland wrestling team. In preparation for this tournament, Jesse went to practice, dieted, and went to the sauna, all to make his weight class. Jesse is a wrestler for the 113-pound weight class.

During practice, Jesse worked with different people to learn something new or to help somebody else. Spinney said, “The wrestling team is a family, all very different, but each person contributes something to the team.” Jesse said that, “My coaches, parents, team, and friend Junior always push me to achieve my goals.”

Jesse found a love for this sport his freshmen year. But he knew he had an interest in wrestling by hearing stories about his father, a Plymouth South graduate of 1999 who was a wrestling champion.

Jesse went into the first tournament of the season with the mindset of a winner, having confidence, hope, determination, and technique. Spinney said, “Wrestling is a team, but when you compete, the outcome is evident on how hard personally you have worked.”

In 2018 Jesse attended the same tournament and placed fourth. He worked harder and a year later he placed first. Jesse beat each of his opponents, which led him to the semi-finals and finals, where he won the tournament. Spinney stated, “I wasn’t nervous for the tournament until the last match. I was realizing how close I was to winning and wasn’t going to lose it.” Jesse said, “Winning that tournament gave me self-confidence for the rest of the season.”

It is currently Jesse’s second year on the Abington/Rockland wrestling team and he plans on continuing this sport throughout high school.

The next wrestling match is tonight, Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Randolph High School.

(minor edit made at 3:17 Jan., 8)