“I thought it was really cool [to go], but I was also disappointed in myself, I feel like I let everyone down.”

Isaiah Rivera, a Junior on Caney Creek’s boys wrestling team, competed at 265 in his 285 weight class, placing 4th overall in the boys region 2-6A tournament back in February, with a total of 285 points, and in the end, qualifying for state. But like most athletes, Rivera’s greatest setback is himself.

Rivera began his wrestling career back his 7th grade year, when his primary sport was football.

 “Back then our football coaches pretty much forced us to do all sports, but I only competed in 3 matches. I was pretty much over it after that, but my friend invited me to a practice and I thought it’d be fun. I really wasn’t expecting to get back into it”.

Through his junior year, Rivera had been doing a lot better than expected, though this was his first year making it to state, he qualified for districts his sophomore year but ended up tripping over his feet and losing his regional qualifying match.

 “I get really nervous before all my matches, I can’t really get rid of that, but I just try to listen to music to make me feel better”.

When trying to overcome the nervousness that comes prior to wrestling matches, Rivera tries to stay away from “heavy” music like rap, which he said would make him feel more jittery right before stepping onto the mat. He now favors more calming types of music to reduce nervousness. 

“What’s the hardest part about wrestling?” “I think it’s like that third period, when there’s like, a minute left. You’re both gassed out, and it’s just whoever wants it more at that point.”

Isaiah Rivera went to state with 41 wins and 18 losses on his record. In the end, his state placement depended on a controversial round in the match, and the opinion of an at first, unsure referee’s final decision.

“I know I get in my head a lot,” Rivera said, “and I know that had a big impact on why I lost, not just the referee”.

Like any sport, wrestling takes a lot of not only physical preparation, but metal as well. Isaiah Rivera is only one athlete that endures the struggles of self doubt; but all while taking on his mentality, he continues to compete in his sport.

“I think you just have to go out and try things before you judge or simply don’t do them. That goes with a lot of things in life”.