This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/09/2024 02:02 AMFor Gunnar Howes, he has become a seemingly permanent fixture in the postseason landscape of Connecticut high school wrestling at both the Class S and State Open tiers. He has become that prodigious perennial in late February by being someone that eats, breathes, and sleeps the sport through all seasons and climates.
The Haddam-Killingworth junior started wrestling in fifth grade and loved it from the start, while also tacking on another tandem of sports that he currently suits up for the Cougars in with lacrosse and football.
This past campaign, Gunnar compiled a high-caliber record of 36-9 overall. He additionally took a runner-up spot in the Highland Tournament at Portland High School, came in third at the Warrior Invitational, and most impressive, finished fourth for the Class S State Tournament to also qualify for the State Open.
“With wrestling, I love the work you have to put in to be good at the sport and to truly have fun with it. I also love teamwork; it is a rough sport but it is a lot of fun,” says Gunnar. “Things that have helped me are my coach and having good wrestling partners. I also have been spending a lot of time in the gym and training in the offseason.”
Back in the beginning of his wrestling tenure, Gunnar would often face trepidation as a pre-bout opponent. Yet he organically grew out of that shyness and timidness as a competitor through lumps, bumps, bruises, losses, and finally, victories.
“When I first started wrestling, I would get nervous before matches and lack confidence in myself. Now, through putting in more work, winning more matches, and wrestling high-level people, I have more confidence and a better outlook on things,” says Gunnar. “My freshman year, placing fourth at the Class S State Championships and going to the State open was big for me after wrestling varsity all year. My sophomore year, winning the Highlander Tournament was also a big highlight for me. I never thought I would be winning high school tournaments when I started out.”
The third time was the charm for Gunnar, as he gained his first ever pair of triumphs on the state’s biggest stage for his tertiary trip. While he is certainly ecstatic about those decisions and grateful to make it there on multiple occasions, he is ready for a deeper dive in the draw down the line.
“I went 2-2 at the Open this year, which was better than the previous two years, because it was the first time I won matches there. It was so great to have the experience of going there again,” Gunnar says. “I felt more improved there than the last two seasons. I am thankful for the chance and the work to get there. It shows a lot with respect to the work I put in, and I hope to finish better at it next year.”
Gunnar is someone who has already showcased himself as a consummate leader and professional by dedicating himself to his craft and club, according to Cougars’ wrestling Head Coach Josh Cofield. The sky’s the limit for Gunnar going into his swan song season next winter.
“Gunnar Howes has matured into a young man and a great leader. He is a pleasure to coach. In the offseason, he put in a lot of time on the mat to make himself a better wrestler,” says Cofield. “I can't wait to see what the future brings for this young man and the H-K wrestling team next year.”
While Gunnar competed in the 138-pound draw at states, he notes that the Cougars did lack some depth on the opposite end of the scale in terms of constructing a well-rounded lineup. Still, several of his teammates stepped up to fill voids and parlay the way to an also successful dual-meet season.
“At the grinning of the year, we were looking slim in terms of the heavyweight and had no one,” says Gunnar. “But we got through it and had a full lineup by the end of the season. All the boys worked hard in practices, and we won a bunch of matches during the regular season. The freshmen and sophomores also improved tremendously as the year went on.”
Through a trio of campaigns studded with solo success and a multitude of accolades, Gunnar is the exact opposite of arrogant with his level of success. As he takes the higher road and chooses to remain humble and diligent, he knows the family unit of a squad is pivotal to any prominence for any element of life.
“I have discovered through wrestling that hard work truly pays off,” says Gunnar. “You just have to keep pushing in order to get what you work for and what you deserve in the end. I have also learned that teamwork is something that really makes everything work.”