CLARK, NJ- Arthur L. Johnson High School senior Sebastian Iakouchevitch continues to add to his accomplishments in his athletic career. His latest accomplishment took place on the mat at a recent wrestling match.
Iakouchevitch captured his 100th win of his career in the Union County Tournament Semifinals on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Union High School. He was recognized for his achievement during a home match for Johnson, with a banner commemorating his hard work over all four years.
He subsequently won the Union County Tournament championship for the 220-lb bracket, adding to his big day on the mat. It was his second straight year winning the county tournament.
“You don’t get this opportunity to coach a kid like Sebastian often. Sebastian’s a very special athlete,” Johnson assistant wrestling coach Chris Roberts said. “Being able to coach him all four years of his career has been a great experience. He has made huge gains since his freshman year and his 100th win is just another indicator of that.”
“Not only does Sebastian push himself, but he is a leader in the wrestling room,” he added. “
Iakouchevitch has been wrestling since he was in fourth grade, around nine years old. While the accomplishment is rare and involves dedication to the game, he reflected upon his journey of wrestling. He says the goals are more than just winning 100 career varsity matches.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a huge accomplishment,” Iakouchevitch said. “I’m proud of myself and I know everyone else is proud of me, but that’s not the goal. I have to keep moving forward because there’s bigger goals ahead.”
“I just love the sport. There’s no tougher sport than wrestling,” he added. “I get up every single day because I love [battling on the mat]. It’s something about working hard that pushes me to the limit and I love doing it.”
A three-sport athlete, Iakouchevitch plays football in the fall and has been playing lacrosse in the spring. He works hard at each sport and works at excelling in his schoolwork in the classroom, demonstrating what it means to be a student-athlete.
With the 100 wins completed, Iakouchevitch has his eyes on the next part of the wrestling season coming up. “I want to win the districts [and] finish the regular season undefeated,” Iakouchevitch said. “I want to win the regionals and want to place in the top five of the state.”
“Wrestling is always a grind. It’s a long, grueling season because you have to get down on your weight,” Iakouchevitch added. “It’s a tough season because you have to work through the injuries, there’s no days off. If you miss a match, you lose out on a criteria for the seeds. There’s no such thing as being sick [nor] being injured. You have to push through it.”
Iakouchevitch’s passion for athletic achievement includes football too. As a running back in football, some of his statistics on his career include rushing for 1,914 yards on around 304 carries, cashing in for 15 rushing touchdowns, three sacks and two interceptions.
“Sebastian has been a stud over the past four years,” Gus Kalikas, the Athletic Director of the Clark Public School District, said. “To be able to achieve what he’s achieved in all three sports in football, lacrosse and now wrestling and to carry a heavy workload in the classroom is tremendously impressive.”
“Wrestling is a sport where you need to have discipline not only in the school, but out of the school,” Kalikas added. “From adjusting your diet and going to your club and manage it over the course of four years here. The best is yet to come with districts, the regionals and states coming up in wrestling.”
His work on the football field and in athletics has stood out to coaches throughout his career. One of his coaches from his early days of football remembers Iakouchevitch’s determination.
“His heart and work ethic. He never slowed down, gave 110 percent all the time even in practice and was a leader by example,” Pat Campione, Iakouchevitch’s Pop Warner football coach, said.
Iakouchevitch credited his mother for being the most supportive person in his life, stating how passionate she is about watching wrestling, as well as being the one who pushes him to work harder and continue to get better.
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