Large number of former Discovery wrestlers now serving in military, law enforcement

MADISON – Twelve former wrestlers in a nine-year period at Discovery Middle School have established careers in the U.S. military or in law enforcement. These winning teams have advanced as ‘winning’ servants of the community.

“Discovery Middle School had a great group of leaders come through and move on to wrestling at Bob Jones High School from 2016 to 2024,” Matt Sweatman said. For nine years, Sweatman was Head Coach for the Bob Jones Wrestling Team.

Discovery Wrestling Team won the Duals State Championship in 2018, Duals State Runner-Up in 2019 and multiple finishes in the Top Five during various tournaments.

Those students include Ronin Amsler, Diego Cruces, Dunyea Dorsey, Cal Francovitch, George Francovitch, Troy Hennigan, Nick Lozano, Mikey Lucente, Daniel Navarro, Max Reynolds, Gideon Roll and Colton West.

Wrestlers develop increased focus and concentration, according to thesportsreviewer.com. These athletes build strength and agility while enhancing mental toughness and discipline.

“Wrestling is a very disciplined sport with a high level of pressure within the season,” Sweatman said. “Student-athletes that become successful in the sport of wrestling are usually more likely to handle pressure situations at a higher clip than others. Therefore, jobs like the military and law enforcement align really well with successful wrestlers.”

The former wrestlers in Madison City Schools have progressed to serve in the U.S. Marines, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and Madison Police Department.

“Our wrestling program stands on discipline. Providing a structured outline of what it takes to be successful is something that students enjoy because they understand if they work hard, they will get what they work for. Very similar to public service, if you put the work in, good things will usually follow,” Sweatman said.

As a former coach and teacher, does Sweatman recommend that wrestlers pursue a career path in the military or law enforcement? “I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone but, for all of my wrestlers that have come through my program over the last 10 years, I feel they all have what it takes to give back and serve our communities,” Sweatman said.

Sweatman taught special educa- tion at Bob Jones for nine years and was the head coach for wrestling during that time. He also coached varsity football for seven years and varsity softball for three years. Sweatman recently assumed the positions of Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Discovery.

Sweatman and his wife Anna are parents of daughter Allie, who is eight years old, and their threeyear-old son, Mac.