Synopsis/Details
CHARLIE MORELLI (17), tough as nails, self-esteem issues, on the first day of his senior year looks forward to the upcoming wrestling season. To his dislike, he receives news from his coach he's transferring to another school to take a vice principal position, resulting in there being no team and no last opportunity for Charlie to win a championship. Bummed out, Charlie tells his brother MARK, early 20's, an overseas soldier, about the news. Mark tells Charlie to coach the team himself. After thinking it over, Charlie moves forward with the suggestion but hits a wall when he finds out he needs a teacher supervisor present at every practice. He tries every teacher in the school to be only rejected and comes close to giving up, but MR. STEVENS, mid 60's, on the edge of retiring, unexpectedly volunteers to supervise.
Charlie conducts practices, and new wrestlers slowly drop out, not able to handle the vigorous training, until a team is eventually complete. Mr. Stevens and Charlie open up to one another and form a relationship. Charlie's problems pile on when he faces troubles at home, with his girlfriend, and his team who doubt his leadership capabilities. Mr. Stevens helps Charlie find the confidence to lead the team by giving him advice. After tournaments and school-to-school meets, regionals come. Charlie wins the gold, and some other wrestlers on the team perform well too. Metros come, and Charlie wins gold again, which qualifies him for provincials, along with several other wrestlers on his team. Getting ready for provincials, Charlie receives news his brother Mark was injured in combat and is in a coma. Mark is transferred to Toronto.
Charlie's left with the dilemma of having to choose between staying by his brother's side or going to compete in the provincial wrestling tournament. He receives a visit from his old coach who tells him his brother was always one of the best wrestlers but wasn't able to see it within himself, which is why he never got a scholarship. Charlie decides to attend the tournament. He goes through tough bouts, which includes an excruciating semi-final match, and makes it into the finals. The match is a battle of two titans, and Charlie is defeated, but still receives a scholarship. Charlie's brother passes away, and Charlie puts his silver medal on his coffin. We finish on a closing image of a plane taking flight, signifying Charlie's next chapter of being a college wrestler.
