The schedule of a student-athlete can be demanding, with many struggling to find the balance between academics and sports. However, one athlete in particular has shown remarkable dedication to his team; having never missed a single day of practice or a meet in all four years of his wrestling career at Westford Academy, senior captain Jake Dulong has shattered the mold of the average student-athlete and has won the Ironman Award for the WA Boys’ Wrestling Team for the last four years.
The Ironman Award goes to wrestlers who show exceptional commitment to their sport by attending every team event. The wrestling program began giving out the award five years ago. According to Boys’ Wrestling Coach Bruce Rich, typically only one or two athletes each year would earn the award. However, when Dulong won this award, he showed others what is possible—this year, the team had a record-breaking five athletes earn the award.
“In this day and age, [having that level of commitment is] extremely difficult,” Rich said. “It makes it even more impressive that Jake didn’t miss a single practice or match in four years, especially now when it feels like kids will miss three days with something as minor as a runny nose.”
According to Dulong, wrestling immediately piqued his interest when he joined the team in his freshman year. He became dedicated to the team after winning the Ironman Award that same year, and set his sights on maintaining the standard he had set for himself in the future.
“After I got [the award] my first year, I felt like getting it once was kind of just a piece of the four year puzzle,” Dulong said. “So, I wanted to get [the award] all four years to complete it.”
According to Rich, when he first met Dulong, his toughness and athleticism in the sport stood out immediately
“Since day one of Jake’s freshman year, we knew he was mentally tough, because he enjoyed working hard and being pushed,” Rich said. “As he got older, he gained more confidence and continued to develop, both as an athlete and as a leader.”
In addition to his toughness, Rich also noted that Dulong’s level of commitment to the team is unprecedented, especially in a sport such as wrestling. His consistency is something the wrestling program has never seen before, and has entirely changed the meaning of the award.
“There are already rumors the award might be renamed the ‘Dulong Award’. That says everything about the impact he’s had on the program,” Rich said.
Throughout his training and practices, Dulong has also learnt a multitude of valuable lessons. According to Dulong, wrestling is extremely beneficial, as it teaches a player about discipline and understanding the value of hard work.
“I’d say I’ve got consistently better each year,” Dulong said. “In particular, I mean, I think I’ve gotten better as a wrestler, but also as a teammate in general. I’d say [I’m really proud of] the first win of my freshman year, looking back, I thought it was so awesome and everything, but now I’m so much better than I was then.”
From the beginning to the end of his high school career, Dulong has been supported behind the scenes by many people, including his coaches and family.
“I’m definitely grateful for my coaches and parents for helping me,” Dulong said. “I’m definitely going to miss [them] because the whole team together is almost like a small family.”
Dulong’s family has been a constant presence, having shown up and supported him during his games.
“My family always goes to my meets to support me. And I honestly learned [a lot about] hard work and discipline from my family and [especially] my dad,” Dulong said.
According to Dulong, his teammates have also aided in creating a friendly, supportive community in his life.
“I honestly found my friends through wrestling because [before,] I had friends, but I didn’t really have a group until I joined wrestling,” Dulong said. “I honestly think everyone should be participating in something because it just helps you find a group to stick with.”
Despite his passion for wrestling, Dulong does not plan on going to college for it. Instead, he is choosing to follow in his dad’s footsteps of construction, studying Construction Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
“Because of his commitment level and work ethic, I’m confident he’ll be successful in whatever he chooses to do [when he goes off to college],” Rich said.
