“Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion,” American humorist Arnold H. Glasow said. “You must set yourself on fire.”

Senior wrestler Samuel Berry has done just that, burning through his high school wrestling career with countless titles for the team including first place at the 2009 All-City Championship as a junior, second at the 2009 Golden Gate Invitational as a senior and first at the 2010 Viking Invitational as a senior. Competing on varsity, Berry has maintained a steady top three finish in every city dual meet since his sophomore year.

Inspired by his older brother Jacob Berry, class of ’07, Sam Berry felt compelled to begin his high school career as a wrestler. “The Berry brothers are very similar,” senior captain Daniel Sorkin said. “They are both outgoing, friendly and full of suggestions, but Sam is more encouraging. He is always there to make you go the extra mile.”

Wrestling may be very time consuming, but Berry enjoys the pure fun of it. “Wrestling basically takes over my life,” Berry said. “I do not get to spend as much time with my friends, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to make.”

Throughout his four years, Berry has also tried to cut down on desserts and fatty foods. “I can’t eat fast food at all,” Berry said. “It is just something you have to deal with.”

Now in his final year at Lowell, Berry strives to surpass his previous goal and win the State Championship. “Not only do I want to do well in the city matches, but I also want to do well at tournaments outside of the city,” Berry said. “I want to win a match at the state tournament if I get there.”

As Berry works to achieve his individual goal, he also leads the rest of the team as co-captain with seniors Daniel Sorkin, Jacob Clinton and Sharlotte Dela Cruz. “The captains are the pillars of the team,” coach Colin Ikeda said. “They help me a lot by keeping the team focused.”

The team has been steadily advancing forward toward the championship. The freshmen are proving themselves worthy of the title of the varsity wrestlers, working hard to build up their wrestling careers, according to Ikeda. “The freshmen have been doing awesome and looking into the future, they’re going to be a force to reckon with,” he said.

Come see the wrestlers continue to prove themselves at 4 p.m. on Feb. 24 at Lincoln high school against the Mustangs.