On Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, the Berkeley High School wrestling program hosted the San Leandro Pirates for the last dual meet of the season. This meet was also BHS’ senior night, marking an end to high school wrestling for BHS seniors.
Wrestling matches are won through scoring points from a variety of maneuvers — escaping a pin or taking another opponent down to the mat. On Tuesday, the first match ended with an unfortunate loss for BHS, but as the night progressed, BHS accumulated points through match wins, ultimately pulling through with a victory against San Leandro. This win was unexpected and well fought, considering a large portion of BHS’s team was out with injury.
Boys’ team captain and senior Vincent Longmire was out for the meet against San Leandro because of a knee injury earlier in the season. Although he wasn’t wrestling, he still showed up to cheer on his teammates from the sidelines for the last time. After high school Longmire has the opportunity to go to Eureka and wrestle in livestreamed matches here while still pursuing the career he wants. He plans to stay in touch with BHS, whether that looks like helping out in the offseason, or showing up for tournaments. “You don’t really realize that it doesn’t last forever until it’s ending. I’m going to miss the whole team dynamic and spending time with all my teammates,” Longmire said.
After the meet, in honor of the BHS wrestling team’s graduating seniors, the team gifted each senior a poster collage featuring themselves, composed of pictures taken from various team competitions, matches and games, a team photo of the 2026 senior wrestlers, and a flower bouquet. This was followed by a few touching words for each senior player from Coach Benjamin Nathan and a prepared speech from the teammates who felt particularly proud and impacted by the seniors. Coach Nathan, who is also an AP Calculus and Advanced Math 2 teacher at BHS, said, “I talked to one of the other coaches and he said something that sticks with me a little more each time that I think about it. ‘As coaches we are the most necessary and least important part of the team.’ And it’s never been more evident to me than this year.” Coach Nathan added that the seniors this year have been amazing student athletes to coach and work with.
Girls wrestling team captain, senior Eloise Thomas, was also out with an injury for part of this season. Thomas was not able to make it to the last meet against San Leandro, only making it to wish her team good luck beforehand and celebrate the senior night win at the end. “This season was incredible. I am so lucky to have been able to wrestle with these people. The team has grown so much in heart and in spirit. This is the most connected I’ve ever felt the girls team,” Thomas said.