RallyNorth.net

Catching Up With ... Salem wrestler Garrett Cauley

Wednesday, December, 12 By Mike Grenier
Staff writer

What do you remember most about your first varsity match?
It was my freshman year against Greater Lowell. I had just started wrestling and was extremely nervous. Scott Connolly was our coach and he let me go (in the heavyweight class). He said, "I think you can take this guy." From what I can remember, I pinned him in the second period.

Was that a big confidence builder?
It was the first time I had gotten into sports and I never would have thought I could handle something like that, but with help from coach Connolly, I was able to do it. Adam Schroeder (the new head coach this season) was with coach Connolly that year and he helped me out, too.

How did you go from being a heayweight to the 215-pound class?
"I weighed 260 pounds my freshman year. Between football, wrestling and lacrosse, I've been able to lose weight. I was around 230 last year and our coach, Greg Post, suggested I get down to 215. It was great advice. I had gotten comfortable as a heavyweight and didn't have to worry about eating a meatball sub. Now, the diet is a little more strict. I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but (Post) said the more you think you can't do it, the more you won't be able to do it. It helped me in football to get the weight down.

How come so many football players get into wrestling?
Well, after my freshman year in football, coach Connolly asked what I was going to do to stay in shape. I said I'd be lifting (weights) and running and he said, "Oh, so you're going to be wrestling? See you at practice Monday." So I had a lovely three-day break after football.

What do you like most about wrestling?
"It's so great because it's a team sport and an individual sport. If you win a match, they raise your hand and then it adds six points to the team score.

How is Salem going to be this season?
We have 20 kids on the team; about 15 of them are first-year wrestlers. I have to do my best to motivate them (as one of the team's captains). The harder you practice, the easier it is in the matches.

What does coach Schroeder bring to the team?
He was an athlete here and he brings that Salem toughness. A couple of kids quit, and he told the rest of us that only the toughest kids wrestle. He knows his stuff.

Are you glad you took up wrestling?
I always wanted to play football at Salem High. My dad (Bill Cauley) wanted to see me play, but he passed away when I was in eighth grade. Coach Connolly got me into wrestling by pointing out all the benefits it would have for football. I'm always doing the best I can because my dad never had a chance to see me play.