On March 7th, under the bright lights and pressure of the biggest stage, two Linganore High School wrestlers proved they belonged at the top, each capturing a state championship in their individual weight classes through discipline, resilience and relentless work ethic.
For both athletes, the journey to a state title began in different ways but with a similar mindset to improve and most importantly win.
One champion, Cash Wheat, was introduced to wrestling at a young age by family.
“My brother was doing it when I was 8, so that got me into it,” Wheat said. “Then, my freshman year, I realized I really had a shot at it.” Unlike Wheat, senior Alex Tortolani found his path to wrestling later, but it quickly became a passion.
“My football coaches my freshman year finally convinced me [I could compete against athletes at a higher level], ” Tortolani said. “I realized I could compete with the best guys in the state last year at the state tournament when I was wrestling with them.”
Despite their differing entrees into the sport, both of these athletes faced obstacles on their way to the top. For Wheat, it was the physical challenge of competing at a disadvantage.
“Cutting weight and being undersized in the weight class was my biggest challenge,” Wheat said. “I just put in work to get super tactical to be able to win it.”
Wheat demonstrated his commitment through intense preparation, including practicing six days a week and lifting on top of that.
For Tortolani, the biggest challenge was staying healthy through his season. He said his injuries were the main impediment to his success.
“It’s difficult coming straight from football into wrestling, and it takes a toll on your body, but I had great coaches that helped me get through these injuries and win the tournament,” Tortolani said.
When it came time for the state finals, both athletes experienced unforgettable moments in very different ways.
Wheat remembers the instant everything became real for him during his state championship match.
“I was really excited, standing up [and] seeing my dad right in front of me in the corner,” Wheat said. “It was just a really big moment.”
Wheat explained that having his father, who had coached him since he was 8, there next to him on the mat made the match even more meaningful.
The state match was equally as memorable to Tortolani who described the moment he knew he won.
“[There were] so many emotions, I kind of blacked out,” Tortolani said. “It was so surreal to think that I had really just done that and won the state championship.”
While their paths were different, both wrestlers shared the mindset of a state champion. Wheat described it as “just wanting it more than everybody else.”
Tortolani reflected that mentality through his preparation.
“Music helps me lock in, and I visualize how I’m going to win the match,” Tortolani said.
Beyond the wins and titles,both athletes took life lessons from the sport that they will continue to pass on far into their future.
Wheat said that for him “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel all the time.”
Tortolani added his own takeaway: “Anything good doesn’t come for free; you have to work for it, and hard work pays off.”
As their high school careers come to a close, both champions are already looking ahead. Wheat will continue wrestling in college and chase a national title at The University of Lynchburg, with further dreams of owning his own company. At the same time, Tortolani plans to attend The University of Tennessee where he will study Nuclear Engineering. He shared that he will always keep the sport of wrestling in his heart and has thoughts of possibly coaching the younger generation, maybe at Linganore.
Before he leaves, Wheat offers a straightforward message to wrestlers chasing the same goal.
“It’s going to suck, but keep going and eventually you will get there,” Wheat said.
Tortolani reflects on what he’ll carry with him moving forward. “Mostly the family,” he said. “The friendships and the sense of community, I’ll have that for a long time.”
