Arron McCarty stands at a wrestling match in his Robinson uniform and gear ready to wrestle.
Wrestling since his freshmen year, Arron McCarty (’26) couldn’t imagine being anywhere but the mat. McCarty has found the sport completely invigorating, and with the support of his religion, music, and his most important support group, the rest of the wrestling team.
“One of my biggest motivations is definitely music—it really helps me focus and get ready. But praying and thinking about God also keeps me grounded and centered,” McCarty said.
Boys Wrestling Captain McCarty has over 100 wins in total, while this season he’s gotten 22 wins. With a full year ahead of him, McCarty plans on continuing his hard work and watching as his performance and career improves.
“In my career I have over 100, but this season so far I currently have 22. [I’m] definitely going to try to get more [during] the rest of the season,” McCarty said.
McCarty is always committed to his goals, on-and-off the matt. Because to McCarty, every factor is key to success.
“I train five times a day, I lift four times a day and I meal prep and keep a proper diet as well as I can,” McCarty said.
Although staying in-shape is an important part of McCarty’s routine, he also gets ready for a match by listening to music, as it helps him focus and get in the right mindset.
“The main song I listen to before a match is “Dance” by Lady Gaga. It helps me warm up while also having a little fun before stepping onto the mat,” McCarty said.
Wrestling isn’t an easy sport—it takes a lot of hard work and determination—but having a team that had his back made all the difference. McCarty teammates and coaches created a positive environment that pushed him to get better while also celebrating his successes, big or small. They gave him the confidence to take on challenges and learn from tough matches. Through it all, McCarty not only became a better wrestler but has also learned important lessons, such as teamwork, perseverance and confidence.
“Before a match, I always feel well-prepared and ready, I’m always confident before going on the mat and afterwards I feel good and ready for the next [match], whether I win or lose,” McCarty said. “I just get prepared like they are any other opponent. I don’t underestimate or overestimate [them]. I’m ready to beat anyone on that mat, it doesn’t matter who it is.”
McCarty approaches every match with balance, neither overestimating nor underestimating his opponents. He takes things slow, stays composed, and steps onto the mat fully prepared, focused, and ready to go. Losses don’t discourage him; instead, McCarty sees them as chances to grow, studying his mistakes to improve and fix his mistakes for the next match.
