Falcon wrestler Jose Lopez, from the 285-pound class, was named State Male Athlete of the Month of December by the California Community College of Athletic Association after posting a 33-1 record this season.
Teammate Eric Sauvageau says Lopez’s drive and determination to get better was the key to his success.
“Jose working out by himself all the time improved his skills but all he needed to do was figure out how to win,” sophomore wrestler Eric Sauvage said.
Having six to seven years of experience in wrestling, and advice from his high school football coach to “give it a chance,” Lopez has won back-to-back state championships.
“I wasn’t interested in wrestling; I thought it was weird guys wrestling in tights,” Lopez said.
Lopez won his match against Fresno City College wrestler Luis Contreras with a 4-0 domination in the first state championship.
Lopez traveled to Arizona to the Embry Riddle tournament and lost against wrestler Levi Cooper.
“I was unprepared. If the elevations and conditions were different I could have done it. If I had a little more gas, I would have had him,” Lopez said.
He achieved a record of 66-5 both seasons on the Falcon team, winning nine tournaments and taking second place in three.
Falcon wrestling coach Don Garriott said, “Things we worked with weren’t technical but psychological. I wanted him to wrestle entire matches, and not just try to win, but to dominate his opponent and wrestle to his ability.
“For a guy his size, he is extremely quick and explosive. As a 290-pound guy, he is in great shape,” Garriott said.
He earned a scholarship to continue wrestling at Dickson State University in North Dakota.
Lopez accepted the scholarship after regional assistant coach Tyson Springer presented him with the offer.
“I was being offered a full ride. All I had to pay for were books,” Lopez said.
While still wrestling at Cerritos, he became the fourth wrestler in school history with two consecutive wins at the California State Championships.
“I’m better than that. I really don’t find glory in that and I’m still on the road to pursue a better ending,” Lopez said about his award.
Lopez accepted the scholarship after regional assistant coach Tyson Springer presented him with the offer.
“I was being offered a full ride. All I had to pay for were books,” Lopez said.
Many schools offered Lopez options. Hardly any were giving the right offers.
“I decided on Dickson State University because [representatives] offered what they could and, so far, they have come through with what they have promised me,” Lopez said.
Lopez looks back on the progress he made from his first season to his last wrestling at a community college.
“I knew how to win it but it was about how i was going to win it. I wanted to make a big statement that I wasn’t just a junior college wrestler but a Div. 1 wrestler. I wanted to know I was better than the rest even though others think they’re better than me,” stating how he felt throughout the season.
Next season he wants to get national title at Dickson State, as well as study to get a degree so he can coaching high school or college wrestlers.. Lopez is currently red shirting this season at Dickson State.
