After achieving success on the football field, Jacob Ramos decided to try his talents inside on the wrestling mat.

So far, it has been an experience that has paralleled his football one.

“Making new friends and becoming a part of the wrestling family has been one of the best things that has happened to me,” said the 285-pound Ramos, who is a junior with an 11-11 record. “This team is my family, and I wouldn’t want to wrestle with any other team. I have learned a lot and have applied it.

“I honestly started to wrestle because everyone wanted me to do it. I decided to go for it, and it has been one of the best decisions in my sports career.

“I am very thankful to my coaches and my teammates for teaching me and showing me how to be successful in the sport.”

Head coach Jon Reed has watched his first-year grappler advance at the steady stream.

“Jacob has worked really hard, and has been able to progress at a fast pace,” said Reed. “He has had a number of falls, and has gained confidence in the process.

“Jacob also has managed to adjust to his opponents and has recorded some falls.”

Ramos recorded a fall during the Roughies’ senior night victory over Northwestern, their first and lone dual match victory of the season.

“It felt good to finally get that first one, especially on senior night,” said Reed about the victory. “It was good to send off our seniors with a win in their last dual meet at Catty.”

Along with Ramos, Reed noted the increasing consistent contributions of Evan Reed (121), Jonathan Cordon-Pinto (152), Braden Bartholomew (189), Donovan Torres (160), and Aeriel Stallworth (145), and Chris Wellington (172).

Chad Beller (215) and Mikhail Hartranft (127) continue to be among the best in their weight classes.

“Reed and Pinto got some important falls for us and Bartholomew and Torres received forfeits against Northwestern,” said Reed. “Wellington moved up a weight class to battle Northwestern’s state qualifier and gave a valiant effort before losing to him. He jumped up a weight for the good of the team, and that’s what we’re trying to instill in the program.

“Dual meets are about working as a team to get the best matchups to put us in the best position to win. Wellington had absolutely no problem moving up a weight knowing he would face a much superior wrestler. You don’t get a better teammate than that.”

The Roughies will be idle until they begin the district tournament the weekend of Feb. 23-24. Reed plans to make the most of the time.

“We now have a very long layoff until individual districts,” said Reed. “We will work on technique and conditioning to keep the team as fresh as possible, so they are ready for the postseason.”