Sam Wolford, a junior wrestler from Northern Lebanon, is making his mark in the sport, following the legacy of his father, Sammy Wolford. After placing fourth in the state championship previously, Sam returns to the PIAA tournament, motivated by family tradition and personal ambition. The connection between father and son highlights the influence of familial support in Sam’s wrestling journey.
BETHLEHEM — In the realm of sports, lineage often plays a crucial role in an athlete’s development. Northern Lebanon junior Sam Wolford exemplifies this concept as he forges his path in wrestling, having earned a spot at the PIAA state tournament for the second year consecutively. Following a remarkable fourth-place finish at the state level in the 107-pound category last year, Wolford continues to rise through the ranks, echoing his family’s legacy.
Sam Wolford’s father, Sammy Wolford, achieved notable success during his own high school career, securing three state titles in Virginia throughout the 1990s. His passion for the sport ignited after an unexpected transition from basketball to wrestling, highlighting his destined affinity for the sport. “I started out playing basketball until eighth grade, then got cut from the basketball team and tried out for wrestling,” he recounted. “From there I found a knack for it, by God not by choice, and just fell in love with the sport.”
Sammy Wolford delights in witnessing his son’s growth and development in wrestling, noting that Sam began training at a very young age. “He’s been doing it since five, six years old, so just to be a part of it is amazing,” he stated. Sam attributes his accomplishments to his father’s influence, stating that he consistently seeks to surpass his father’s achievements, which serves as a motivating factor in his career.
Despite the challenges associated with having a state champion as a father, Sam Wolford embraces the experience as a positive influence. He benefits from his father’s critiques, which stem from firsthand experience. Sam remarked, “He always critiques my stuff, and he knows what he’s talking about because he had first-hand experience. He tells me what I can do better — and that helps me perfect things in my game.”
In addition to the father-son dynamic, Sam values his teammates’ contributions to his progress. He trains alongside elite wrestlers, including Aaron Seidel, who provides a high level of competition during practices. He emphasized the importance of their training together, saying, “I practice with the best wrestler in the entire country, and I know (Seidel) pushes me as hard as he trains every single day.”
Seidel, a close training partner of Wolford, acknowledges his remarkable talent and attributes. He commented on Sam’s natural ability to maintain positioning and strength during matches, recognizing his skill in figuring out opponents’ techniques. As Sam prepares for his third appearance at the PIAA tournament, he has the opportunity to achieve what his father did not — winning a state title during his junior year.
Sammy Wolford has observed his son’s unwavering determination and believes that the lessons learned through wrestling extend beyond the sport itself. He expressed pride in Sam’s growth, stating, “It’s something that’s definitely benefited him not just through wrestling, but as a human being.
Sam Wolford is establishing his own wrestling legacy while following in the footsteps of his father, Sammy Wolford. With persistence and support from both his father and teammates, he is poised to achieve even greater success in the upcoming PIAA tournament. Their shared commitment to wrestling exemplifies the intersection of talent and family dedication, ensuring that both father and son continue to inspire one another on their respective journeys.
Original Source: www.ldnews.com
