The smell in the wrestling room

Today I had the chance to stop by Clackamas practice. The wrestling room smelled like getting better—a mix of grind and grit, the kind it takes to beat your opponent, and the quiet camaraderie that helps you grow, one sweaty practice at a time.

Even though it’s summer and most might be thinking of taking a break, you could feel the urgency in the air—the hunger to improve just 1% each day. It sounds simple, but it demands everything. And somehow, alongside the work, you could smell the joy too. The fun. The love for it. Anyone who’s wrestled knows: the smell of the wrestling room isn’t just a smell—it’s the soul of the room. It’s woven into every rep, every moment of growth. 

I hope I can keep coming back from time to time. I took a few pictures—hope you like them.