Before I started wrestling as a sport, I did judo. I started judo when I was 10 years old because my dad also did it as a kid. I chose wrestling as my sport for high school because I thought that my judo experience, as it is a martial art, would carry over to wrestling. I wanted to try out wrestling and it felt like the logical choice. My dad was the one who suggested that I try it and I followed in that path.

I have been training pretty much every single day during the high-school season. I have also worked on my wrestling game during the off-season. All of the practices that I’ve done, from outside and after school, have led me to the point at which I am at now. I would say that during the high school season, I am focused on cutting weight because the tournaments are more often. During the off-season, my focus is towards other kinds of training such as improving my technique for the high school season.

There is also a difference between the high-school season and off-season in terms of who I am involved with. Obviously, the high school team is the primary group that I am affiliated with during the season. During the off season, I practice with Kaitoa Wrestling club so that I can take full advantage of my time.

When I qualified for the state championships, it was a circular moment because it has been my goal since freshman year. I went to North Coast Section (NCS) during freshman year. When I watched the finals matches, I just knew that I wanted to be there and I have practiced every day since. I did not make it my sophomore or junior year, so I am really glad I was able to senior year. I believe that I am the first wrestler in over 30 years to qualify for NCS from Irvington.
It was a very emotional moment after my semi finals match. I pinned my opponent and he was the number 34 wrestler in the state. I celebrated after my match and I started tearing up. I was so happy and I couldn’t believe it.

I am really thankful towards my parents because they continued to push me and put a lot of time in me. They invested in me not only from the financial sense but with their time. They came to my practices and matches to support me. I knew that I would be able to do it but I did not know how much practice it would take. I just kept working towards it and it all worked out in the end.

I feel like wrestling has made a major impact in my life outside of the sport. It has helped me in school and I have stopped procrastinating. I do my homework on time more and just continue to do hard work, because that’s what I do in wrestling. So, to all the aspiring wrestlers out here — wrestling is a tough sport. You will constantly want to quit but it is worth it because it helps you out in life. While I do not plan on continuing wrestling after high school, I have gotten so much out of it and it has ended on such a great note.