Redshirt sophomore Marissa Gallegos is setting goals and achieving high standards. Gallegos has been wrestling for 10 years. This is where she found one of her biggest passions.
“What kept me going is remembering my why. I wrestle because I love wrestling,” Gallegos said.
It is easy to see the passion from the sidelines. Gallegos is powerful, courageous, and mentally strong. Head Coach Travis Mercado discussed what he viewed to be Gallegos’s biggest strength.
“Marissa’s dedication to excellence, I’ve always known that she will find a way to put herself in a position to be successful. Marissa is a person that you want on your team because of the way she upholds herself and the energy and motivation for success she brings to a team atmosphere,” Mercado said.
Dedication is a true quality for an athlete. Gallegos has taken dedication to another level. She has learned how to overcome and face many challenges.
“Unfortunately, I broke my hand 3 days before nationals and chose to wrestle nationals, last chance Olympic trials qualifiers, and Olympic trials with it broken,” Gallegos said.
A broken hand didn’t stop her from earning a spot at the Olympic Trials. She went in seeded at No.11.
Gallegos has struggled with several other injuries.
“I’ve had three shoulder surgeries including my most recent shoulder surgery my first year of college. That shoulder surgery is why I redshirt my freshman year,” Gallegos said.
These injuries have not stopped her from seeing her potential. She hopes to heal enough to compete at the World Team trials in May.
“I’ve learned in those down times of healing that I truly love this sport and I will continue to come back because I know that the injuries I’ve faced were only there to shape me as a person and a wrestler, by developing a relentless drive to never give up,” Gallegos said.
Gallegos discussed the courage she wants to provide for a younger generation of girls. She wants to allow them an opportunity to view that achieving dreams and goals can happen.
This year alone Gallegos learned a lot about staying motivated. She also showed her commitment and dedication towards wrestling.
He went on to mention that Gallegos has a list of goals and has shown dedication to all of them.
“The sky’s the limit for Marissa. She is on track to graduate in 2022 with her Biology degree (Pre-med) and is planning on applying to a physical therapy program. We’ve discussed returning for her last year of eligibility in the 2022-2023 season and also taking some time off from school after graduation to focus strictly on training here with our team for the 2024 Olympic Trials,” Mercado said.
Gallegos is taking strides in her athletic career. She continues to leave a well paved path for those following at Colorado Mesa Universitys’ women’s wrestling program.
