Wrestling is an individual sport where athletes go to the mat to do what they do best.
“It is just you and your opponent, there’s no one helping you and it’s about who wants it more,” wrestling head coach Carlos Armendariz said.
Wrestlers are individually ranked based on their weight class and their performance.
Boys wrestling has had some great achievements this season. Based on the boys wins by; Ceaser Ramirez, Diego Juarez, Eric Ruiz, Eric Martinez, Armando Garcia, and Manny Guijaro they are the best boys wrestlers.
“(Each of these boys are) peaking at the right time,” Armendariz said.
There are 14 weight classes for the boys category and the more the line-up is filled the more opportunity for success.
Returning state qualifier sophomore, Ceaser Ramirez placed 2nd in the Cholla Tournament in Tucson, AZ and is ranked number 1 in the city.
“I’m surprised with being ranked number one in the city. I could say it feels good to be on top,” Ramirez said. “I want to work harder than everyone else.” With only one year of experience before high school he is doing very well.
This sport takes a different kind of commitment and includes a lot of practice hours. The team practiced from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. as district competition drew near.
The boys and girls are practicing by wrestling rather than drills in order to be prepared. As a unit the team is athletic, and talented, but they all bring a sense of confidence, Armendariz said.
All the athletes on the team are young and talented, all are working hard and overall each individual is doing well. Coach Armendariz’s expectations this season are to compete at the highest level and have the best season possible.
The team competed in the district tournament on Jan. 25, at Fabens High School placing, 2nd in the boys and girls area. Ten boys and six girls qualified for regionals. Boys district champs are Diego Juarez, Peter Quintana, Eric Ruiz, and Manny Guijaro.
Regionals was Jan. 31 to Feb.1. The boys had a state qualifier, senior Diego Juarez.
“This season my expectations were met and the team is better now than they were at the beginning of the season,” Armendariz said.