For the first time since the team disbanded, Pelham students are once again participating in Section One wrestling. The team at the high school used to hold their practices and meets in the Blue Gym by the middle school, but after a lack of student interest, any kind of varsity wrestling no longer existed at PMHS, until this winter.
This school year, there was a sudden increase in interest for wrestling with two PMHS students, freshman Eduardo Martinez, and sophomore Zainab Jahangir approaching the Athletic Office in the PMS gym to propose the idea of a wrestling team to Athletic Director Joe Toombs.
Unlike other instances where students have suggested the idea of forming a team to Mr. Toombs, such as with a flag football team, or boys volleyball team, he stated that it was easier to put together a team for an individual sport such as wrestling.
However, the way that the students were able to participate in varsity-level wrestling was not through a re-formation of the Pelham wrestling team, but rather a merger with the wrestling team of a nearby high school, Eastchester. The Eastchester wrestling team had spots open on their roster, and welcomed the Pelham wrestlers to participate on their team, forming a merged Eastchester-Pelham wrestling team. Mr.Toombs stated that this method was only possible because Eastchester was willing to accept the Pelham Athletes into their program, making the re-inclusion of Pelham Athletes in Section One wrestling a special circumstance.
While the Pelham students were a part of the team, there were some disadvantages that came with being a part of the Eastchester wrestling team, both for the PMHS students and Eastchester High School. For example, the only way for the Pelham athletes to go to the Eastchester practices and meets was by their own methods of transportation, and not any kind of bus that would take them there. It was entirely up to the students to get themselves over to Eastchester to be a part of the wrestling team. For the school, the primary disadvantage they faced was significant penalties regarding postseason competitions. For example, if any player from the Eastchester team, either from Pelham or Eastchester, should be recognized as an all-section athlete, or participate in state championships, they would not represent the school, they would be there independently. The same applies to team sports, where any merged team would not have eligibility to participate in the playoffs.
“I’m very fortunate we made it work,” said Mr. Toombs, “wrestling is a great opportunity for any student who would want to participate in non-traditional team sports.”
Mr. Toombs also stated that the team will look to hopefully merge again with Eastchester next season, barring that they will have the available roster positions and allow Pelham athletes to be a part of their team.
