A person can only be a leader if others are willing to follow.

The young wrestling team has rallied behind lone senior, James Zarate, on the way to another successful season. Zarate has displayed the work ethic and tremendous leadership the underclassmen need in the adjustment to college level wrestling.

Zarate was unanimously voted team captain by his peers before the season began. He has not disappointed when putting together a 22-14 record. Zarate has led by example, setting the bar high for his  team.

“A lot of young guys feed off of him,” head coach Tim Fader said. “He has a good head on his shoulders and is very mature.”

Distraught with many injuries in the beginning of the year, Zarate and the Warhawks never lost their will to win.

“[We] need him,” Fader said.

Being a fifth year senior, Zarate has plenty of experience. With a career record of 68-51, Zarate knows what it takes to have a successful season. He continually works to improve his success.

“I wrestled in a lot of different competitions this summer,” Zarate said. “I wrestled a lot of different styles; some freestyle.”

Becoming the team captain was no easy task for Zarate. He has constantly worked to improve his technique and strength. Zarate has worked hard to drop weight and improve his quickness.

According to Fader, Zarate has dropped nearly 40 pounds to weigh-in at 260 pounds for the last meet.

“He is one of the better heavy weights in the nation,” Fader said.

Zarate and the ’Hawks still have the WIAC tournament and the national championships ahead.

Zarate said he believes the team can make some noise in the conference tournament despite it being a youthful team.

He also hopes its victory over conference foe,  UW-Platteville last week, will give them the momentum they need for the WIAC tournament on Sunday at UW-La Crosse.

“We are a pretty young team but I think if everyone wrestles to their potential we can win,” Zarate said.