Lester Wang ’25

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What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “martial arts”? Maybe you think of belt colors and ranks, or maybe you think of flashy forms, or board breaking, or cool strikes that you could never imagine doing. What if I told you that you have the potential to do feats like these?

Strake Jesuit is one of the few schools that offer a martial arts program. In our program, students practice three days a week from six to seven in the morning to train various techniques, ranging from kicks, sparring and combat, takedowns, bodybuilding, and more. Our goal is “to build a team-focused martial arts program,” our coach, Mr. Tyler Sowers, said. Our whole team revolves around brotherhood and community; there is a unique bond among each member of the team. When we are in practice, our mindset becomes different.

“We’re united, we’re motivated,” Alejandro Cruz ’24 said, “and, we push each other to our heights.”

This brotherly encouragement happens every day of training: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Fridays, the team focuses on bodybuilding and conditioning. On Thursdays, we spar (fight) each other, a tremendously exciting thing to experience.

“It’s a surreal moment because all of your senses seem heightened,” Andres Martinez ‘24 said. “Regardless of the outcome, you come out stronger, you get a new brother, and you grow closer.”

On Tuesdays, students practice kicks and takedowns, preparing for their next rank test. Regardless of the day of the week, we endlessly strive for success, defying boundaries and inspiring others around us.

“I’m not an early bird,” Coach Sowers said, “but coming here helping these guys makes it worth it.”

Despite hardships, pain, and gloomy days, we will always kick with a bright smile on our faces.