AOW: Quinn Abrams, AJ Pedro and Joey Rossetti

Seniors Quinn Abrams, Josh Rossetti and AJ Pedro, the three co-captains of Exeter’s wrestling team, have lead their teammates to an impressive six wins and three losses. Big Red is currently ranked 1st in New England.

Abrams, Rossetti and Pedro happen to be close friends. According to Abrams, the three of them have known each other since middle school through wrestling against one another in New England. Years later, leading the Exeter team together has made them very close. Rossetti expressed that their close relationship has helped them improve in wrestling. “We know each other so well and we know what it takes to be great. We try and translate that over in the practice room,” he said.

David Hudson, one of the head coaches of the wrestling team, complimented the captains’ ability to foster a strong team dynamic. “Each brings their own unique qualities and contributions to the team,” he said. “Together they have helped keep the team focused on working hard on a daily basis and improving as individuals and as a team.”

In third grade, Abrams began to wrestle after finding baseball unappealing. From a young age, Abrams liked the self-reliant aspect of wrestling. He looked for a sport where his own hard work and dedication would lead to success. Since the start of his wrestling career, Abrams has trained with multiple coaches, switching from team to team. Abrams finally felt settled within the Exeter wrestling community after joining as a new lower.

“Their individual accomplishments and contributions to the success of the team and program will be difficult, if not impossible to replace.”

For Abrams, the title of captain is about supporting his teammates, and he takes this role very seriously. “My duty as a captain is to ensure that all of the wrestlers on the team give their full effort in and out of the wrestling room,” he said. He elaborated on this, citing the numerous factors he needs to look out for every practice. “[I need to] make sure that they expend their energy at the end of each day, that they are defeated physically but never mentally and that all of my fellow wrestlers come back each day hungry for more training.”

Being one of the more experienced members of the team, Abrams actively seeks to share his knowledge and technique on wrestling. “It is a great joy to pass along what I know to the future leaders of the [Exeter] team after I graduate,” he said.

Seen by his coaches and teammates as passionate and friendly, Abrams always looks out for his teammates and encouraging them to give all their effort. Senior and teammate Josh Hemintakoon described Abrams as a “teddy bear” and commended him for his “big heart” and genuine care for others.

While Abrams provides advice and comfort for the team, Rossetti leads Big Red to success through his actions. Rossetti began wrestling in first grade. With the support of his father, a former high school and college wrestler himself, Rossetti found a deep passion for the sport.

Rossetti explained how tight-knit and motivated the team is. As a captain, he has found that leading a close group has made him feel increasingly connected to each member. “We pretty much go through hell and back together and there’s no other group I’d rather do it with,” he said.

Upper Kevin Lyskawa described Rossetti as a wrestler who leads by example. Often times, Rossetti can be seen leading warm ups and demonstrating various techniques. Hemintakoon concurred with Lyskawa and praised Rossetti’s dedication to the sport of wrestling. “After practice, Joey can always be found doing extra work, whether he’s doing sets in the weight room, teaching our less experienced wrestlers, or recovering at the trainers,” Hemintakoon said.

Contrary to Rossetti, Pedro leads with loud and assertive encouragement. Described by his teammates as a skilled and dedicated wrestler, Pedro is known for his commanding presence on the team. Hemintakoon expressed the respect the team has for Pedro. “Hard work trumps talent in wrestling and AJ has a lot of both,” he said.

Together, Abrams, Rossetti and Pedro lead one of the most competitive and successful wrestling teams in New England. Though they have different approaches to leadership, their tight friendship and common passion for the sport enables them to work together successfully.

According to Hudson, the three co-captains, along with seniors Abhijay Bhatnagar, Kelechi Nwankwoala and Hemintakoon, are one of the best groups of both three and four year starters that he has seen come through the program. “Their individual accomplishments and contributions to the success of the team and program will be difficult, if not impossible to replace,” said Hudson, calling each senior the “heart and soul” of Exeter wrestling.

Lyskawa echoed these comments, emphasizing the important role that the co-captains play. “They have taken upon more responsibility as ones we can rely on to get us those extra points,” Lyskawa said, continuing to stress their importance as role-models for the entire team. “We accomplished everything as a team.  Yet, having three role models in the room really impacts the team in a positive way.”