Bright lights are pointed at center of the gym with fans screaming “pin him, pin him,” as the Castleton Spartans wrestling team closed out their trip to NCAA Regionals on March 2.

The Spartans found themselves very successful at regionals setting program records after placing third place as a team while also having a record eight wrestlers qualify for the National Championship that takes place on March 14-15 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Of the eight to qualify for the National Championship, James Rodriguez, Nathaniel Camiscioli, Sampson Wilkins, and Gavin Bradley are returning. Evan Day, Elijah Cyr, Connor Gregory and Haven Tatarek all make their National Championship debut during the program record year.

“Competing at the national tournament is a treat really. There’s nothing like it. It’s an honor to compete among the top teams in the nation, and to showcase that little old Castleton is home to some of the hardest working wrestlers there is. The growing number of qualifiers speaks to our team’s culture. Having qualified eight this year, as a 9th year program, it’s practically unheard of. We’ve truly made our mark as a top NCAA program,” Wilkins said.

Similar to Wilkins, head coach Scott Legacy attributes the team’s success to the culture the Spartan wrestlers have built over the years.

“We have an extremely hard-working culture where every wrestler is important. Whether they are a starter who wrestled in the regionals or non-starter who participated in the Futures championship,” Legacy said. “Our team realizes as individuals they are part of something bigger than themselves! Being bought in and living the lifestyle is important. We chase the toughest competition we can,”

Going into the National Tournament, the Spartans are split 50/50 with experience on the National stage, but the returning members and tournaments priors have been a large help in preparing the newcomers to the tournament Legacy believes.

“I believe that putting ourselves in pressure tournament on the national level, such as the North Central Invitational and being invited to the National Duals (because we are a top 24 team the nation). Pressure situations like wrestling in the Uni Dome in Iowa has giving those athletes their own since of confidence. Between the experience of the wrestlers who have been and their own experience, we do not believe they will have the deer in the headlights look,” he said.

Wilkins echoed Legacy’s thoughts as he is heading to the National Championship for the third straight year at 184 pounds.

“As a third time qualifier, I know to take it one match at a time and to be where my feet are. It can be easy to get wrapped up in the whole thing and where you might land in the bracket,” Wilkins said. “Coach has done a great job preparing us for any adversity we may face. You really just got to have fun out there and trust your ability and training and the outcome will make itself.”