"It's their dedication … summer training makes winter champions. They train really hard," said coach Peter Dimmell about Whitney Lohnes of Bridgewater and Sarah Knickle, Devan Feener and Nick Dimmell of Bayview Community School.
"Our school NSSAF season is short and most kids will wrestle recreationally and stop at the end of February. These four do it all year round."
They train in Bedford as part of the provincial program two or three times a week, wrestle most weekends during the winter and spring, and attend camps where they have three two-hour practices a day for a full week.
"I don't think people understand how hard this training can be," said Mr. Dimmell. "And they lose a lot of their fun time with friends."
"I lost my social life, but it was worth it," laughed Devan, who often gets home from school, has supper, does homework in the car on her way to practice and doesn't get home until about 10 p.m.
"Now that we're training for Canada Games, we're working 10 times harder, and that takes away even more of our social life."
Still, it was all worth it.
"It was all because of the point we're at now. I never thought I'd get this far. It was the last thing in the back of my mind. I was so excited to make it," she smiled.
The gruelling selection process also created a special bond between the four athletes.
"We've gotten each other through a lot … and we also push each other."
The three girls earned their spots on the team through a points system which included various provincial and national tournaments and training camps.
Nick went through the same process, but, despite being the top-seeded male in his weight class, ultimately had to win a last-chance qualifier at Park View Education Centre last month.
"When Nick was wrestling, we were all yelling on the sidelines, screaming and jumping up and down," laughed Whitney.
"Over the past year, we've all become really close. I wanted all of them to make the team because I know them so well. To be able to go and have this Canada Games experience with them will be a great thing."
The age group for wrestling at those Games in Prince Edward Island this August is between 15 and 18.
"They'll be competing against kids much older than them," said Mr. Dimmell.
"So at 15 and 16 years old, they've accomplished something pretty incredible."