Wrestlers Lend Helping Hands

On the mats, members of the wrestling team use their strength, smarts and passion to pin down those less talented in wrestling. Off the mats, they use the same skills to lift those less fortunate in life.

For the past two years, the Harvard wrestling team has been spending its Saturday mornings helping local people in need by volunteering at the food pantry located in St. Paul Church in Harvard Square. It is there that they spend three to four hours, beginning at around 9:30 a.m., working with other volunteers to supply the needy citizens of the area with food.

At a time when most Harvard students are sleeping, at least half of the wrestling team can be found at the food pantry, stacking food, unloading deliveries from a truck, counting all the supplies, and setting up the food for distribution. And then they hand it out. When the grateful customers leave around 12:30 p.m., the team helps clean up.

Many members of the team take extra time to chat one-on-one with those they help. The experience opens eyes and minds.

“There’s not a lot of English spoken,” senior captain Mike Baria says. “A lot of Russian, a lot of Spanish. Luckily, some team members speak broken Spanish so we are able to communicate.”

The wrestling team was first introduced to St. Paul and the food pantry two years ago by former team member Jonas Corl. Corl attended service in the church frequently and knew that it needed volunteers to work in the pantry. As a member of the wrestling team, he also knew where he could go to find plenty of capable volunteers. It was an easy pitch.

“We have been given a ton by the University,” Baria says. “One of our goals is to provide for others less fortunate than us. It is the right thing to do.”

Corl graduated last year. But what he started will continue to live on, this season and beyond.

“We see the need in these people’s lives,” Baria says. “We don’t want to sit by the wayside and hope someone else takes care of them. We feel a sense of need, a sense of obligation.”

His teammates agree.

“Throughout life, a lot of [team members] have had supporting families and coaches who helped us develop and been resources for us,” freshman Patrick Ziemnik says. “Now we are helping other people. We are giving our time when so many people have given their time for us.”

“We have all these opportunites,” sophomore Joseph Bechtold says. “It’s time to help people that need help.”

Not only does the team enjoy making a difference in the lives of others. Teammates insist the volunteer work improves the performance of the team.

“It brings us closer,” Ziemnik says. “It is a good way to bring the team together. The more time we spend, the more I get to know the guys on the team.”

Working with the food pantry not only improves team chemistry but also helps the wrestlers prepare mentally for their matches. The first practice of the year takes place on Monday.

“It is nice to get outside the Harvard bubble,” Bechtold says. “[Volunteering at the food pantry] helps to give us a refresher.”

The captain agrees.

“Sometimes, we take [wrestling] too seriously,” Baria says. “It can be overwhelming. Performance declines. This has brought a whole new perspective. It makes us better people.”