Wrestling is both mental and physical

Wrestling is known as one of the hardest physical sports, and Leo Gonzalez-Arechiga should know. He started wrestling as a freshman and has continued to be part of the team into his senior year this year. 

“I think although wrestling is hard physically, it is harder for me mentally. Some good things are that it keeps you in shape and you also learn self-defense, which boosted my confidence,” he said.  

There are some bad parts that come with wrestling mentally, too. Two things he listed are the weight cuts and having to keep track of diets. “The tournaments are really early and you have to spend a lot of time there, which makes me tired all the time,” said Gonzalez. 

He has plenty of experience, but it all started because he didn’t get his original athletic choice. “At first my friend recommended wrestling to me, but I wasn’t sure. After I didn’t make the soccer team I decided to try out wrestling and I’ve stuck with it ever since,” he said. “The reason I stayed was because, in soccer, I had a team, but in wrestling the only person out there was me and it felt good.”

Wrestling may not be the way for him, though. “My main goal in life surrounds creating a better future. After high school I think I’m just going to go to the Army and I probably won’t wrestle anymore,” he said. 

“If I had started wrestling as a kid, I definitely would have done college wrestling. However, I don’t plan on going that far due to my lack of experience. I don’t think I would do well in higher competition,” he said. 

While wrestling has taken up most of his time during the season, Gonzalez has other interests as well. “I like to play soccer, since I used to play it all the time. I also have fun whenever I play tennis, and I like playing with my dogs, too. Video games are something I like to do in my free time, and my favorite game would be Apex Legends.”