After finishing the 2023 season with an impressive 24-3 record, the Lincoln Way West High School Boys Wrestling Team is setting its sights on an even higher goal this year: a state championship.
Head coach Brian Glenn, who guided wrestlers to one state placement and four state qualifiers last season, believes his team is poised for further success.
“We finished last year with a record of 24-3. We had one state placer, four state qualifiers. We are definitely looking to improve this year on that,” Glenn said. “We returned a lot of our core guys. Our goal is to bring home a state trophy this year, as well as improve on having a few more state medalists and potentially a couple of state champions.”
Two of the key returning athletes are seniors Luke Swinski and Nathan Elsner, who both play pivotal roles in the team’s leadership and success. Swinski, competing in the 138-pound weight class, is known for his exceptional work ethic and discipline on the mat.
“Luke is more of a leader on the mat. He’s not as vocal, but his work ethic is by far the best,” Glenn said. “The amount of time he puts into the sport is incredible. It’s great for our younger guys to see. There’s no one that works harder or has a better mindset than Luke.”
Swinski credits much of his success to the countless hours of practice and focus on perfecting his technique.
“I like to stay low in my stance so no one can shoot on my legs,” he said. “In practice, I’m always in a good stance. I’m always low. It’s all about perfecting what I can.”
Elsner, who competes in the 215-pound weight class, is recognized as a vocal leader, especially with his background as a football player. Glenn praised Elsner for his ability to motivate his teammates and hold them accountable.
“Nate, coming from football, is a leader who’s looked up to by all the underclassmen,” Glenn said. “He’s a bit more vocal. If you’re messing around, he’ll put you in your place. He’s a great senior leader.”
Elsner, who has been wrestling under Glenn’s guidance for years, has learned to read his coach’s body language to gauge his performance.
“You can tell when you’re doing good or need to improve just by being around Coach,” Elsner said. “There’s a certain look he gives off, and you know not to say anything stupid or look at him the wrong way. You can tell if he’s upset or if we’re doing good.”
The Warriors’ ultimate goal is clear: a state title. Coach Glenn believes the key to achieving that goal lies in intense competition within the team and a commitment to all aspects of the sport, from practice to nutrition, weight management, and academics.
“In order to achieve our goal of a first-place finish in state, the next step is being challenged in the room,” Glenn said. “This year more than ever, there will be weights where two very good wrestlers will compete for a spot. That competition will push everyone to make sure they’re doing everything right—nutrition, weight cutting, proper sleep, and grades. All of that goes into play.”
With a strong leadership core, a committed coaching staff, and a unified team, the Warriors are determined to make their state championship dreams a reality.