Raunaq Singh

By: centraljersey.com
HIGHTSTOWN – Sean LeBlanc is a fighter.
Wrestling since he was 8 years old, the Hightstown junior has been through the twists and turns inherent of a cruel sport that almost always drains participants of every ounce of their energy.
"During the season, wrestling becomes my life," LeBlanc, a 112-pounder, said. "I work out in the morning, go to school, go to practice, work out at night, and then go to bed."
It is a vicious cycle, for sure. The recurring question then seems to be, "Why?"
Why push yourself so hard, for just a game? Why lose so much weight just so you can hold a medal?
LeBlanc found the answer to those questions three years ago in his freshman year in a crucial match against Shawnee. LeBlanc was a freshman competing on the varsity level, which is rare. Typically only the most exceptional high school grapplers compete at that level in their first year.
"It was the last match of the night and our team was up by two points, and I lost the whole match for the team," LeBlanc said. "That has driven me to push myself further and work harder. I remember every single loss and they all make me work harder."
Hard work is a daily routine for this Ram.
Finishing his freshman year with a 10-20 record, LeBlanc improved to 18-11 last year. He has driven himself to reach for the stars.
Part of his recent success on the mat has been found by cutting weight. Dropping weight is one of the most controversial aspects of the ancient sport of wrestling.
"I cut weight because in order to be able to compete at a high level, I need to cut weight so that I am as strong as the kids I wrestle," LeBlanc said. ""Almost everyone cuts weight, so if you don’t you will be smaller than the kids in your weight class."
Before the start of the wrestling season, LeBlanc said he weighed in at 128 pounds. Rigorous workouts and a hyper-strict diet have melted that number down to 112 on match days, he said.
"I work out every day before school and then after wrestling practice," LeBlanc said. "I eat very little and drink limited amounts of water. I eat no junk food whatsoever."
In an age of gimmick diets and get-thin-quick scams, LeBlanc and his fellow wrestlers have turned dropping weight into a science.
But the battles LeBlanc faces are not just limited to those on the mat. During the course of the wrestling season, he constantly fights culinary cravings.
"The hardest part is when it’s the day of a weigh-in and you’re really thirsty but you can’t drink any water or anything until after you have weighed in," he said. "I eat no junk food and drink no soda. The sweetest thing that I have is once in a while, I will have a cup of chocolate milk."
But the pros of cutting weight almost always come with the cons of long, exhausting days and even longer – and hungrier – nights.
Like the wars he wins on the mat, LeBlanc usually wins the ones he faces in the kitchen. Although he said it feels, at times, the sacrifices aren’t worth the price he pays, LeBlanc chooses to grit his teeth and push through the pain.
"I know that it will pay off in the end," he said. "There is no better feeling than winning a big match in front of a big crowd. It’s just you and your opponent out there, so every second of hard work pays off."
Wrestling is an ancient sport, one of the most demanding – both physically and mentally. A big part of the sport is a battle of self-control, finding the ability to keep emotions in check. Meets, matches, and the season itself, is an up-and-down roller-coaster ride. The best wrestlers are able to stay levelheaded, never getting too high after victories, or too low after defeats.
"It’s a one-on-one sport," LeBlanc said. "It’s really embarrassing to lose and you have to be mentally strong to be a wrestler."
Although he’s a seasoned wrestler after two full seasons at the Varsity level, the pressure sometimes gets to Sean. He says he tries to forget about it, and constantly reminds himself that mental toughness is what separates him from other athletes.
He credits much of his success to his dad, Ed LeBlanc, and Hightstown wrestling coach Mike Russo. His father also wrestled in high school, and is a major influence on his career.
Coach Russo has pushed LeBlanc to reach a higher level.
Both mentors have taught him how to excel, and helped him to cultivate his love for the sport.
LeBlanc’s dreams extend far beyond high school. He wants to wrestle in college.
"I think that I am in the top-three in the county right now," he said. "And depending on how well I wrestle, you might even see me on the top of the podium."
Currently 13-2 as a junior, LeBlanc is well on his way to reaching his goals.
"Sean is having an outstanding seasons for us.," Coach Russo said. "He is a very technical wrestler who works hard year round. Sean has also taken on the role as team captain and is a great role model for our younger wrestlers."