“Max’s biggest strength is his determination,” CHS sophomore Adam Sieber said. “When there’s a goal, he’ll accomplish it.”
Adam Sieber is Max Friedman’s co-captain on Clayton’s varsity wrestling team.
The duo were unanimously elected co-captains by their teammates at the beginning of the season.
Sieber feels that Friedman immediately emerged as a strong leader.
“He uses his voice to help the coaches and I teach first-year wrestlers the basics,” Sieber said. “This year, he’s very focused on his achievements as an individual, but also focused on team goals.”
Friedman also recognized his responsibilities as a team captain, believing encouraging his teammates to be one of his primary duties.
“I have to make sure everyone is practicing and competing as hard as they can,” Friedman said.
A wrestler of two years, Friedman loves the individual nature of the sport.
“It’s one-on-one,” Friedman said. “If you lose, you can’t blame it on anyone else but yourself.”
He also feels that the reward of winning a wrestling match surpasses that of any other sport.
“[I love] the feeling of getting your hand raised,” Friedman said. “Personally, that’s a lot better than scoring a touchdown.”
Over the course of the season, Friedman said that he seeks to improve his endurance.
As individual goals, he mentioned winning over half of his matches and qualifying for State.
Cory Reichert, Clayton’s head wrestling coach, spoke to Friedman’s ability as a wrestler.
“He’s one of the strongest, fastest, and most aggressive guys on the team,” Reichert said.
In addition to Friedman’s physical talent, Reichert admires his drive.
“He leads by example, in daily warmups, practices, and meets,” Reichert said. “He doesn’t like to fail and he pushes his teammates to think the same. He holds them accountable.”
Friedman’s popularity with his teammates and leadership skills have also enabled him to emerge as a effective co-captain.
“He’s well-liked by everyone,” Reichert said. “He’s coachable, and his teammates follow his example.”
According to Sieber, Friedman’s dedication promises to strengthen Clayton wrestling.
“He’s working hard on making himself and the rest of the team more devoted to the sport,” Sieber said.
“Come next year, we’ll be even stronger as a team.”
