On Feb. 16, Aryav Pimrale, a senior at Lexington High School, won the wrestling 2026 MIAA Division 1 Sectional Wrestling Championships, a milestone that capped a long climb to the podium. As a self-driven student athlete, Pimrale achievements reflect his dedication to the sport.

“He has gone to various off-season clubs, clinics, and camps to learn and hone skills over his years of wrestling. This has shown his dedication and determination to reach for his goals, and has helped him to succeed,”  Justin Demers, the head wrestling coach at LHS, said.

To prepare for the competition, Pimrale and the team underwent targeted training to improve their skills. 

“The commitment for athletes who want to succeed is really about buying into the lifestyle that is wrestling. Between competitions and practices, it is a 6-day a week commitment, but for those who want to succeed, it really is every day,” Demers said.

In addition to the preparation and training, Pimrale also needed to balance wrestling with his academic workload.

“I’d try to make room right after practice, I’d get home and shower right away to get to all my homework,” Pimrale said.

The coaching staff also played a central role in shaping Pimrale’s development throughout the seasons.

“We plan out practices based on what we see from the team, review past tournament placements, any available videos on ranked opponents, and then take into consideration what we have seen from teams in the past,” Demers said.

Pimrale’s achievement of winning first place at the Sectionals is not only reflective of his hard work and commitment to the sport but also of the support from his coaches and teammates throughout his journey.

“One thing this competition taught me is that eventually your hard work is gonna pay off. … I’ve gotten second so many times, and this is the first time I’ve ever won, and there’s no better feeling,” Pimrale said.