As we kick off the winter sports season, one sport in particular is gearing up to slam the competition.

   The UC High Wrestling Team is ready to take down every opponent. According to the Centurions’ website “Wrestling is the perfect foundation for all other sports. Wrestling is balance, agility, hand-eye coordination, flexibility, positioning, strength, speed, explosiveness, footwork, hustle, mental focus, mental toughness, core strength, concentration, competition, and endurance” (uchscenturions.com).

  Wrestling Coach Eduardo Hernández said, “I think for this season it’s really cool that we have a lot of juniors. Most of our team is very young. In fact we have only three seniors, but it’s great for us because the juniors that are on the team end up wrestling at a more advanced level.”

  “This season I predict that we’ll place at the City Tournament, make CIF, and win the League,” said Co-Captain Junior Alexander Lin.

    “We’re in a good position to be successful during the current  season.  To us the biggest thing that matters is what we do in house; everything else is just pre season. We were wrestling Patrick Henry and Hilltop High School but all of that is simply preseason. It’s just to get our kids ready for the playoffs. It’s what you do in the playoffs that really matters,” said Hernández

    Not only is joining wrestling a great way to build and improve friendships, it teaches dedication and self-discipline. One would be sorely mistaken to dismiss wrestling as an easy sport. Not only do athletes have to be physically in shape, they have to be in a good mental space as well.

   Lin said, “I think my favorite thing about wrestling would definitely be my teammates. It’s fun to wrestle against them, and I feel like they always support me.”

    Lin talked about how losing to Mira Mesa last season was a let down, and said, “This season I’m most looking forward to getting a chance at beating Mira Mesa.”

    Wrestling teaches self confidence as well. It helps players step into the mindset of “I can do this.” According to the Centurions website, “Wrestling is one the world’s most premier physical fitness sports. Wrestling develops strength and endurance. Poor health is a major issue in our society today and wrestling will help develop a love of exercise and physical fitness in our youth” (uchscenturions.com).