Senior Nehemiah Ortega ended his wrestling season strong. Throughout his whole high school career, he has more than 100 wins, got second place at Regionals, and made it to the state championship where he placed in the top eight.
Wrestling is not an easy sport, it requires strength, agility, resilience, and a deep understanding of confidence within oneself. Physically, high schoolers are still developing, making it critical and challenging that they avoid pushing themselves too hard. Not only does wrestling require physical challenges, but it also comes with significant mental challenges.
Athletes must maintain focus, discipline, and a strong mindset to overcome moments of doubt, lack of confidence and adversity.
Ortega said his teammates help with this, “Even after bad days or tournaments, they keep my head up.”
Wrestling requires conditioning and the ability to endure high-impact moves. The wrestling world, as with many other sports, is built on learning from those who have come before them. This means, taking what they have learned and applying it to their sport. Younger wrestlers often look up to those who are older because they try to improve their growth in wrestling.
For wrestlers, earning a spot in the state championship by practicing continuously, is an amazing achievement. It’s a moment not only for success, but also for the athlete, their coaches, teammates, and family.
Ortega said, “Winning a championship would mean a lot, it’s pretty rare for someone who started freshman year. I want to show people that rankings don’t matter.”
Ortega is a reminder that with hard work, perseverance, and belief in oneself, it is possible to defy expectations and make an impact, regardless of when you begin. Ortega shows dedication through his words and actions,and with those he wants to inspire younger wrestlers.
He proved that with passion and commitment, you can be led to greatness despite where or when you started. Every moment is an opportunity for progress and success is earned through constant effort and not the timing of your entry. But beyond the competition, wrestling connects people and creates unforgettable bonds, memories, and emotions that last a lifetime.
