12/4/2015 by Ariana Segura, Randi Miick, and Danika Meer

Wrestling is the sixth most popular sport in the world.  It is a truly universal sport with participants in almost every country of the world. Wrestlers are placed in weight classes, and it is open to all sizes and shapes of individuals, each body type having advantages and disadvantages. Wrestling is the oldest recorded sport with its roots stretching back over 7,000 years. Today, wrestling continues to be enjoyed throughout the world.  

Wrestling is a combat sport involving grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position (Wrestling). To wrestle it takes a lot of courage and commitment to not only one’s team, but oneself as well, and PHS does an outstanding job of doing so.

Here at Phoenix High School, wrestling has a tradition of wrestling excellence in the state of Oregon, stretching back over half a century. As of last year, PHS had seven wrestlers qualify for state. Nevina DeLuca, Cedar King , Richard Orndorf , Jessi Daniels, Justin Knight , Trace Vega,and Brady Vierra. Five of these  wrestlers were state placers. Trace Vega, Cedar King and Justin Knight, now seniors, placed 5th last year. and a senior last year who placed 6th was Richard Orndorf. At Phoenix High School, we were very fortunate to have Nevina DeLuca last year who was the only female on the wrestling team and who got first place, bringing home a state championship in 2015.

This year, having many seniors on the team means that this season could be last time they ever wrestle. Our pirates will push themselves to succeed and meet their hopes. The team features a strong core lead by captains that change almost every week. This week’s captains are Jessi Daniels, Justin Knight, and Garrett Turrex, who are all seniors. December 4th, Phoenix High School hosted a tournament all day from 11 am to around 5 pm. We expect nothing but great results from our Pirate wrestlers.

The season started November 16th and will end, depending on state qualifiers, around the end of February or the beginning of March. On a weekly basis, our wrestlers practice everyday from Monday to Friday after school from 4 o’clock to around 6 o’clock pm to improve their performance.

The Wrestling Coaching Staff here at PHS are amazing coaches, each and every one of them caring and guiding each athlete to perform their best. The head Coach is Joel Gibson and the three assistant coaches are Rock Schneider,Tucker Van Matre, and Braden Vega. Everyone here at Phoenix High School is excited for this year’s wrestling season.

JENNETT, COLIN BLAKEMORE;SHELIA, “Wrestling.” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed.. 2015, “wrestle.” The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009, “wrestling.” World Encyclopedia. 2005, John Cannon, T., “wrestle.” Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007, “wrestler.” Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007, and “wrestling.” Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. “Wrestling.” Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 2001. Web. 04 Dec. 2015.