For Noah Franchi, he knows that wrestling is not simply a sport, but rather, it is an entire lifestyle. Yet no matter the demands of the mat, he commands the respect of his coaches and peers by demanding the best out of himself on a daily basis year-round.

The East Haven senior 145-pound grappler was introduced to the sport through his stepbrother Josh and first began competing in 3rd grade. From there, it was love at first lock up for Noah. This past winter, Noah had a successful send-off season for his Yellowjackets’ career, with a record of 23-10 personally, to help East Haven improve to a 16-8 team record from 10-11 the year prior.

“I love what wrestling teaches you, and there are just so many aspects to it,” says Noah, who amassed 37 varsity victories for his Yellowjackets’ tenure. “I like being able to lift and slam someone, but it really is a culture, and I am so happy I chose to do it. I pride myself on keeping myself healthy, especially in the offseason. I never liked cutting weight, so I tried to limit the weight I had to cut and just be smart about it.”

Part of that wrestling culture for many can be being raw on the mat as a rookie, and Noah notes he was the rule rather than an exception. Yet through those early lumps and fighting through COVID-restricted and shortened years, he pushed through and burst through to another tier of proficiency.

“I was an average wrestler my freshman year,” Noah says. “I was thrown to the wolves in varsity matches a few times, but I gained experience and made strides along the way. I lost my sophomore year due to the pandemic, but my training entering my senior year really helped me this year.”

Through the hustle and bustle, accompanied by the bumps and bruises nearly seven days a week, Noah realized that there was no gain without all of that pain, which kept him constantly pursuing that moment of actualization via a victory.

“The practices are grueling, and they are all physical combat and using every muscle with no breaks,” says Noah. “The atmosphere in practices is something else; everyone is pushing each other five days a week, plus dual meets and weekend tournaments. When it comes to cutting back on food, you have to be really disciplined. Yet the feeling of getting your hand raised kept me going. It’s great to hit the goal you set out to accomplish all week, and then you move onto the next week.”

Yellowjackets Head Coach Mark Tolla explains that Noah never relented on the mats, even when circumstances within and outside of a match seemed dire. He also showed potential future coaching chops via the avenue of his leadership qualities.

“During Noah’s junior year, he had a winning record, but the season lacked continuity due to COVID restrictions and quarantines,” says Tolla. “Noah had an excellent senior year. He fought through numerous injuries but was able to persevere and finish the season on his own terms. He wrestled probably the most exciting match of the season by overcoming a two-point deficit with seconds to go by head locking his opponent to his back. Even though he was not a captain, he was a leader in our room on a daily basis. Others looked to him for guidance during practice and also adverse situations at meets and competitions. His attitude and tenacity were main reasons why the team was able to improve and achieve at a much higher level this season. Noah demonstrates a passion for wrestling, so I would not be surprised to see him involved in the sport as a coach or mentor in his future.”

Additionally, away from the mat when it came to the club’s culture and camaraderie, Noah did not see himself as big in stature as a senior leader, but he was certainly a large influence, helping to foster the future of the Yellowjackets’ program.

“As a freshman, I saw the seniors as being so big, but then as a senior myself, I did not feel so big, yet I liked being a leader in the room and getting guys hyped up before matches,” Noah says. “I loved seeing the same fire the younger guys had when I was their age. I really like the future of this team.”

Now leaving that same squad with an optimistic outlook down the road, Noah now fully realizes that coming onto the mats for East Haven was the greatest choice he has made in his life thus far. In the process, he learned an even greater deal about sticktoitiveness and heart.

“Sports-wise, it was definitely the best four years for me,” says Noah on his time with East Haven wrestling. “It was something I looked forward to every day. Even in the offseason, I kept thinking about how I can be a better wrestler. Wrestling also taught me that you can never give up, even when you are down by five points with 30 seconds to go. There is no one else you can rely on, so you have to pick yourself up. This team was like one, big, close family.”