The Boys are Back in Town

East Wrestling Team 2019-2020 Preview

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Seniors: Anthony Franklin, Andy Garcia, Aaden Valdez

Alyssa Franklin and Jada Sisneros

The upcoming season for the East High School Wrestlers is going to be a good one! Last season they earned the 4a Team State Championship Title, while also bringing home three individual states titles. As well as runner-ups and many other state placers. Head coach Pat Laughlin also brought home his second Coach of the Year award. They also gained the reputation of one of the best wrestling teams in the state of Colorado. Looking forward to this upcoming season East is looking to have its first 4 timer, Andy Garcia, and hopefully some new state titles from our other wrestlers. They are working to keep up their reputation by continuously winning the team races at tournaments. To get a more personal look into this season we asked a few senior wrestlers their thoughts on this upcoming year.

2019-2020 Wrestling Team – Head Coach: Pat Laughlin – Assistant coaches: Zach Valdez, John Lewis, Tyler Lundquist

Aaden Valdez (senior) has been wrestling for 14 years. Throughout his high school Career he placed 5th his freshman year, 2nd sophomore year, 2nd junior year. 

Eagles Cry: How do you expect the upcoming season to go?

Aaden: “I think it will depend on how hard we work.”

EC: How do you think the team will be this year, due to losing so many teammates?

Aaden: “It will depend on how hard we work in the room, and how hard we push each other.”

EC: What are you looking forward to most this season?

Aaden: “Just the memories that we will make.”

EC: What is going to be the most difficult thing for you this season?

Aaden: “Probably making weight and whipping the freshman into shape. Some don’t know what hard work is, they slack off too much.”

EC: What is the best part of wrestling season to you, and what makes it the most fun?

Aaden: “ To me it’s probably going to eat not to wrestle. The most fun is winning and cheering on the the team, Dago’s matches are pretty intense too because he likes to keep it close.”

 

Anthony Franklin (senior) has been wrestling for 12 years. Through his high school career he qualified for state and placed 4th his junior year.

Eagles Cry: How do you expect the upcoming season to go?

Anthony: “I have a lot of aspirations this year after making it to the semifinals last year. That woke me up and I realized I have a shot at a state title.”

EC:  How do you think the team will be this year, due to losing so many teammates?

Anthony: “This season is a growing year with losing so many seniors last year. We have a good shot at the title if some of the younger guys can pull their weight.” 

EC: What are you looking forward to most this season?

Anthony: “This season I’m looking forward to having fun with my last year on the team and giving all I have.”

EC: What is going to be the most difficult thing for you this season?

Anthony: “The most difficult thing this season is definitely going to be making weight because it always sucks when you’re cutting hard and see classmates drinking Starbucks.”

EC: What is the best part of wrestling to you, and what makes it the most fun?

Anthony: “The best part of wrestling to me is the fact that wrestling is a sport where you can’t depend on someone to win that big match for you. There is no goalie to save the day and no safety to stop the big run. It’s all you out there. The fun part of that is that when you do pull through all of that’s you.”

 

Andy Garcia (senior) has been wrestling for 13 years. Throughout his high school career Andy has placed 1st his freshman, sophomore, and senior year.

Eagles Cry: How do you expect the upcoming season to go?

Andy: “I think this upcoming season is going to be a long tough season.”

EC: How do you think the team will be this year, due to losing so many teammates?

Andy: “I think we have a lot of holes that need to be filled but we have a fresh group of underclassmen that might be able to live up to the history of the team.”

EC: What are you looking forward to the most this season?

Andy: “I’m looking forward to being able to close this chapter of life and look back humble and happy with it.”

EC: What is going to be the most difficult things for you this season?

Andy: “The hardest part of the season is to overcome the long break I had over the last few months and pick up where I left off and finish my high school career in a dominant fashion.”

EC: What is the best part of wrestling to you, and what makes it the most fun?

Andy: “There is no other grind that leaves you knowing if you were the better man on that day. And the sport can humble anyone.”