W e s l a c o H i g h S c h o o l
Panther Wrestling Newsletter
11.20.09 Volume 02- Issue 1
YES!! OUR FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR IS HERE!
YES!! OUR FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR IS HERE!
Years First Edition Brings Panther Wrestling Fans Up-To-Date 
Wrestler’s RETURN TO “HEAVEN”
"As I enter from the outside world and set foot onto the Panther wrestling mat, I transform into a being that words can no longer describe. I do not concern myself with worldly problems. I am in my domain. It is my Heaven here on Earth. With each stance that I take and every step I hear on the mat, I embrace punishment, fearing someone else may be working harder than me. I notice the smell of pride in the air, and this excites me. The blood, sweat and tears from the agony of defeat and sweet joy of victory bring about a feeling like no other I have ever been able to find. Deep within my heart there lies a security in knowing that not only has my pride contributed to this essence, but that the blood, sweat and tears of Panther Wrestlers past have contributed to it as well. And we must not forget the ones who taught us what pride really means. This is sacred to me. It reminds me that I have given everything I have and put it all into the great sport of wrestling. I have given my heart and soul to this sport. So whenever I leave my domain, I always take with me the anxiety and the yearning from deep within my soul that just can't wait until my next return to "Heaven."
King of the Mat Tournament Held at Sharyland.
L to R: Justin Ramirez, A. J. Garcia, Tom Brands, Charlie Villegas, Hector Villanueva, Jr. Brands’ spoke on motivation and setting goals.
Iowa City, Iowa: After months of planning, Panther Wrestler’s Juan Carlos “Charlie” Villegas (Sr.), Justin Ramirez (Sr.), A.J. Garcia (Sr.) and Hector Villanueva, Jr. (Jr.) found themselves at the home of 24 time, and current, NCAA Wrestling Champions, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Training under the watchful eyes of famed coach, Dan Gable (National, World and Olympic Champion), current coach Tom Brands (National, World and Olympic Champion) and assistant coach Terry Brands (National Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist), along with several of the U of I Hawkeye Wrestlers, the boys took part in thirteen – one hour forty-five minute sessions over a five day period. There were wrestlers from twelve different states, with the Panthers having traveled the furthest to attend the annual camp.
Camp sessions covered standing basics, standing defenses, standing leg attacks, standing essentials, bottom techniques, top techniques, free-style and Greco, along with talks on nutrition, strength, motivation, goal setting and academics. The Hawkeyes, practicing as a club, were also in camp. “The warm-ups alone were tough, and then we still had an hour and a half to go!” said Villanueva after the first full day of camp. Garcia added that Gable stayed true to his coaching beliefs as “the camp wrestling gym was not air-conditioned. I liked that he (Gable) expected as much from us, as he does his wrestlers.”
Gable based his final talk on the book, Heart of a Champion, written by Olympic Champion Bob Richards. Gable had with him a first edition copy of the book, which he received when he was thirteen years old. The basis of the book, “What makes a champion?” is an underlying theme in each of the stories. Becoming a champion is due to a will to win no matter what the odds. The athletes highlighted all had to overcome hardship, disability, racism, sexism, and more to become the best the world has ever seen. In essence, a celebration of hard work and the indomitable human spirit. Each of the Iowa Hawkeye wrestlers has committed himself to this concept and is in the process of writing his own championship story.
Tom Brands spoke on the “selfishness” that is needed in order to be a champion. Noting that a champion has to have the need to “be the highlight” of a match or tournament, Brands stressed that “sacrifice and making the right choices” are needed to get there. “You have to stand up to yourself; you can’t be like everyone else!” Brand completed his remarks on the “wrestling side of life” and then proceeded to talk about the “human being” side of life. “You need to stand-up for what is right, every day of your life.”
Panthers Medal at Oklahoma State Camp
A. J. Garcia, Charlie Villegas, Justin Ramirez and Hector Villanueva, Jr. in front of the Spirit Rider of Oklahoma State University.
A wrestling clinic session being conducted by OSU assistant coach Eric Guerrero at the OSU Gallagher – Iba Arena, July 15, 2009.
Stillwater, Oklahoma: Three days after completing the Hawkeye Camp, Villegas, Ramirez, Garcia and Villanueva entered another five day technique camp at Oklahoma State University. They boys were glad to see some familiar faces in McHi’s Sam Mangum (2009 State Champion), Scott Inskeep (2009 State 5th Place Finish) along with three other McHi Wrestlers and four wrestlers from Sharyland High School. Fourteen states were represented by 320 wrestlers in the combined intensive and technique camps.
The ten sessions placed an emphasis on high percentage takedown techniques, leg attack set-ups and finishes, standing-up from the bottom position and the safest and most effective methods to score from the bottom. A series of different rides, breakdowns and turns were taught from the top position. At the end of each three session day, the boys competed in two live matches before retiring for the night.
On the last day of camp, a single elimination format tournament was held in the famed Gallaher-Iba Arena, under the banners noting Oklahoma State University’s 34 National Championships. Wrestling multiple times in a span of three hours, Villegas, Ramirez and Garcia each won a bronze medal in their respective weight divisions.
“I enjoyed the competition each day; facing a tougher level of wrestling talent” said Ramirez while packing his bags for the trip home. Picking up his things on the other side of the dorm room, Villegas stated that “while it was tough, it was well worth it being here (camp). I gained insight and made new friends.”
After 20 days and 3,240 miles of travel, the boys arrived home with new skills and a plan of action to use during the upcoming Panther wrestling season.
2009 – 2010 Weslaco Panther Wrestling Schedule:
King of the Mat Tournament Held at Sharyland.
2nd Annual Wrestling Tourney Presented by Rodriguez Brothers & Extended Family… The Rodriguez Brothers - Daniel, Eli, and Mike - all Panther Alumni, put on their second annual King of the Mat Tourney on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Sharyland High School Wrestling Gym. (Additional tournaments were scheduled for June 20th and August 1st.) Congratulations to the Rodriguez' for running a smooth and well-paced tournament. There were wrestlers from the Valley as well as San Antonio and Austin represented. The format allowed each wrestler a minimum of three matches.
Panthers competing at this tournament were: Frank Hernandez (Class of 2008), 1st Place; Juan C. "Charlie" Villegas (Class of 2010), 1st Place; Ernie Garcia (Class of 2010), 2nd Place; Justin Ramirez (Class of 2010), 2nd Place; and A.J. Garcia (Class of 2010), 2nd Place. Also competing were Hector Villanueva, Jr. (Class of 2011) and Pro Sanchez (Class of 2008). Congratulations to all!
Panthers competing at this tournament were: Frank Hernandez (Class of 2008), 1st Place; Juan C. "Charlie" Villegas (Class of 2010), 1st Place; Ernie Garcia (Class of 2010), 2nd Place; Justin Ramirez (Class of 2010), 2nd Place; and A.J. Garcia (Class of 2010), 2nd Place. Also competing were Hector Villanueva, Jr. (Class of 2011) and Pro Sanchez (Class of 2008). Congratulations to all!
King of the Mat: Individual Weight Class Champs
Panther Juan “Charlie” Villegas, center, 1st Place.
Miles Pederson New Panther Head Coach
Miles Pederson New Panther Head Coach
Wednesday, November 18, 2009: Our new wrestling coach, Miles Pederson, held a parent’s meeting to introduce himself and his staff, his coaching philosophy, and the season’s wrestling schedule. Pederson stated that in developing the schedule he was looking at assuring each wrestler the opportunity of a minimum of 30 matches; which is needed in order to go to next level and be successful (regional & state tournaments). Coach Pederson went on to state that the team will travel to one tournament outside the valley this year – the Gulf Coast Duals – in Corpus Christi, and that as the team develops, he plans to add out-of-valley tournaments in subsequent years. Pederson’s assistant coaches are Moises Chavez (a Panther Wrestling alumnus) and Mary Vela. After-school practices will end at 6:15 p.m. with the goal of making our wrestlers better. Noting that wrestling is a family-oriented sport, Pederson introduced his wife, Sandra, and his children, Anthony and Noelle; stressing that it is important for parents to attend the matches as a wrestler tends to perform better when his/her family is there to support them. Noting that the third six weeks period is crucial to the team, Pederson said that the wrestlers will be in study hall for a portion of the wrestling athletic period for tutoring, asking that parents hold their wrestlers accountable. Coach went on to talk about weight control, noting that wrestling is a life-style, the wrestler choosing to be healthy; with a high school male’s goal of 7% body fat and a high school female’s goal of 12% body fat. Stressing that there will be little down time from now till the end of February, Coach Pederson asked that parents keep informed as to wrestling schedules and tournaments, as the team will practice during holidays, and will condition after matches as well. Welcome to WHS Coach Pederson!
Panther’s Train at U. of Iowa Hawkeye Camp
Panther’s Train at U. of Iowa Hawkeye Camp
Left to Right: Charlie Villegas, Justin Ramirez, University of
Iowa Coach, World and Olympic Champion legend Dan Gable,
Hector Villanueva, Jr. and A. J. Garcia after a training session.
L to R: Justin Ramirez, A. J. Garcia, Tom Brands, Charlie Villegas, Hector Villanueva, Jr. Brands’ spoke on motivation and setting goals.
Iowa City, Iowa: After months of planning, Panther Wrestler’s Juan Carlos “Charlie” Villegas (Sr.), Justin Ramirez (Sr.), A.J. Garcia (Sr.) and Hector Villanueva, Jr. (Jr.) found themselves at the home of 24 time, and current, NCAA Wrestling Champions, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Training under the watchful eyes of famed coach, Dan Gable (National, World and Olympic Champion), current coach Tom Brands (National, World and Olympic Champion) and assistant coach Terry Brands (National Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist), along with several of the U of I Hawkeye Wrestlers, the boys took part in thirteen – one hour forty-five minute sessions over a five day period. There were wrestlers from twelve different states, with the Panthers having traveled the furthest to attend the annual camp.
Camp sessions covered standing basics, standing defenses, standing leg attacks, standing essentials, bottom techniques, top techniques, free-style and Greco, along with talks on nutrition, strength, motivation, goal setting and academics. The Hawkeyes, practicing as a club, were also in camp. “The warm-ups alone were tough, and then we still had an hour and a half to go!” said Villanueva after the first full day of camp. Garcia added that Gable stayed true to his coaching beliefs as “the camp wrestling gym was not air-conditioned. I liked that he (Gable) expected as much from us, as he does his wrestlers.”
Gable based his final talk on the book, Heart of a Champion, written by Olympic Champion Bob Richards. Gable had with him a first edition copy of the book, which he received when he was thirteen years old. The basis of the book, “What makes a champion?” is an underlying theme in each of the stories. Becoming a champion is due to a will to win no matter what the odds. The athletes highlighted all had to overcome hardship, disability, racism, sexism, and more to become the best the world has ever seen. In essence, a celebration of hard work and the indomitable human spirit. Each of the Iowa Hawkeye wrestlers has committed himself to this concept and is in the process of writing his own championship story.
Tom Brands spoke on the “selfishness” that is needed in order to be a champion. Noting that a champion has to have the need to “be the highlight” of a match or tournament, Brands stressed that “sacrifice and making the right choices” are needed to get there. “You have to stand up to yourself; you can’t be like everyone else!” Brand completed his remarks on the “wrestling side of life” and then proceeded to talk about the “human being” side of life. “You need to stand-up for what is right, every day of your life.”
Panthers Medal at Oklahoma State Camp
A. J. Garcia, Charlie Villegas, Justin Ramirez and Hector Villanueva, Jr. in front of the Spirit Rider of Oklahoma State University.
A wrestling clinic session being conducted by OSU assistant coach Eric Guerrero at the OSU Gallagher – Iba Arena, July 15, 2009.
Stillwater, Oklahoma: Three days after completing the Hawkeye Camp, Villegas, Ramirez, Garcia and Villanueva entered another five day technique camp at Oklahoma State University. They boys were glad to see some familiar faces in McHi’s Sam Mangum (2009 State Champion), Scott Inskeep (2009 State 5th Place Finish) along with three other McHi Wrestlers and four wrestlers from Sharyland High School. Fourteen states were represented by 320 wrestlers in the combined intensive and technique camps.
The ten sessions placed an emphasis on high percentage takedown techniques, leg attack set-ups and finishes, standing-up from the bottom position and the safest and most effective methods to score from the bottom. A series of different rides, breakdowns and turns were taught from the top position. At the end of each three session day, the boys competed in two live matches before retiring for the night.
On the last day of camp, a single elimination format tournament was held in the famed Gallaher-Iba Arena, under the banners noting Oklahoma State University’s 34 National Championships. Wrestling multiple times in a span of three hours, Villegas, Ramirez and Garcia each won a bronze medal in their respective weight divisions.
“I enjoyed the competition each day; facing a tougher level of wrestling talent” said Ramirez while packing his bags for the trip home. Picking up his things on the other side of the dorm room, Villegas stated that “while it was tough, it was well worth it being here (camp). I gained insight and made new friends.”
After 20 days and 3,240 miles of travel, the boys arrived home with new skills and a plan of action to use during the upcoming Panther wrestling season.
2009 – 2010 Weslaco Panther Wrestling Schedule:
(Left to Right) DATE - OPPONENT - SITE - TIME
11/20/09, Juarez-Lincoln Tournament, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln High School, 3:00pm
11/20/09, Juarez-Lincoln Tournament, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln High School, 3:00pm
11/21/09, Juarez-Lincoln Tournament, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln High School, 9:00am
12/03/09, San Benito Dual Meet, Weslaco High School, 7:00pm
12/03/09, San Benito Dual Meet, Weslaco High School, 7:00pm
12/05/09, San Benito Tournament, San Benito High School, 9:00am
12/10/09, To Be Announced, To Be Announced, 7:00pm
12/12/09, Weslaco East Tournament, Weslaco East High School, 9:00am
12/17/09, PSJA Memorial Dual Meet, PSJA Memorial High School – Alamo, 7:00pm
12/18/09, Gulf Coast Duals, Corpus Christi Ray High School, 9:00am
12/19/09, Gulf Coast Duals, Corpus Christi Ray High School, 9:00am
01/02/10, Tomas Garces Tournament, Weslaco High School, 9:00am
01/02/10, Tomas Garces Tournament, Weslaco High School, 9:00am
01/05/10, Weslaco East Dual, Weslaco East High School, 7:00pm
01/07/10, Rio Hondo Dual Meet, Weslaco High School, 7:00pm (Alumni Night)
01/09/10, Boys – To Be Announced, To Be Announced, 9:00am
01/09/10, Girls – Rio Grande City, Rio Grande City High School, 9:00am
01/14/10, PSJA North Dual, Weslaco High School, 7:00pm (Parent's Night)
01/16/10, Sharyland Tournament, Sharyland High School, 9:00am
01/16/10, Mission Girls Tournament, Mission High School, 9:00am
01/21/10, PSJA Dual, PSJA High School - San Juan, 7:00pm
01/22/10, La Joya High School Tournament, La Joya High School, 9:00am
01/23/10, La Joya High School Tournament, La Joya High School, 9:00am
01/29/10, Junior Varsity District Tournament, Weslaco East High School, TBA
02/04/10, District 32 Varsity Tournament, Weslaco High School, TBA
02/04/10, District 32 Varsity Tournament, Weslaco High School, TBA
02/12&13/10, UIL Region IV Championships, San Antonio, TBA
02/26&27/10, UIL Texas State Championships, Austin, TBA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Best wishes to senior wrestler – Alex Solis - on November 12th.
UIL Booster Club Rules:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Best wishes to senior wrestler – Alex Solis - on November 12th.
UIL Booster Club Rules:
Visit our blog, www.weslacopantherwrestling.blogspot.com for an updated list of guidelines, roles, policies, and restrictions that we as parents and boosters must comply with. This will give everyone an understanding of the role UIL, WISD, and parents play regarding athletic activities. (UIL Athletic Booster Guidelines – November 20, 2009 listing.)
"The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly."
"The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly."
Friedrich Nietzsche
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