The San Diego Cavers Wrestling team ended the season as the Eastern League champions. The Cavers made a big jump from last year’s status as the bottom team to this year’s as the first in their league. They placed second in the city conference tournament, beating out other very strong teams.
Wrestling is an individual sport, so players must fight not just for their own match but for the team’s overall standing. This year’s team had many talented and successful competitors, such as Isaiah Rocha. Known also on the football field, Rocha shows the same prowess on the wrestling mat.
Asked about the similarities between his drive on the field to that on the mat, he said, “I’m the same player and person” in both sports, you just have to “be who you are.” This approach is evident as he emphasizes that, “everyone on the team plays a key role not only myself, but we also need everyone to be great. Every day everyone goes 100% in practice and pushes each other to be better.”
As with any sport, a good coach is essential. Coach Dooley, who is also a teacher here at San Diego High, clearly knows how to guide and inspire his team. He said that, “last year was more unorganized,” and that they struggled because the athletes had “no leadership and no hardwork.” But, as they came into this year, “we got the work in early and got more guys and girls to workout with us.” He added that they, “started early so coming into this year we would be ready for anything.”
With the season over, the Cavers Wrestling team has finished as the Eastern League champions for the first time. If they can prepare for next year like they did for this, there’s no telling how far they might go in the 26-27 season.
