Wrestlers

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Upon entering high school, my son decided that he would wrestle. I knew nothing about the sport and quickly learned that it is intensely physical. A fighting sport, wrestlers succeed or fail based on their strength and skills. But, it is also a test of wills, with the athletes assuming personas to show their dominance.

 

While I found photographing wrestling difficult due to the complexity and violence of the sport, I was drawn to the boys themselves. Off the mats, they were shy, quiet sometimes awkward teens. On the mat, they became other people.  

 

These are portraits of the Arlington High School varsity wrestlers during the 2019 season.

 

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