Sports Reporter
Making it to nationals is often the pinnacle of collegiate athletics. It’s what many athletes strive for, but few make it. Nationals are for the elite, and everyone who makes it believes they are the best. What most people overlook is the journey these athletes take to make it is far from easy.
Three CMU wrestlers qualified for nationals this year, including Paco Retana, James Martinez and Chester Granard, but Retana’s road to the NCAA Championships has been less than ordinary. Retana, a junior from Longmont, began wrestling when he was in eighth grade.
“I was a little reluctant at first, but the middle school coaches were persistent,” Retana said. “I finally gave in.”
He went on to excel at wrestling in high school. As a junior he placed fourth at the Colorado State Meet with a 33-14 record and finished his senior year with a 33-9 record. His transition from high school to college, however, was difficult.
“I struggled a lot with getting used to not being able to over-power opponents like I was used to in high school,” Retana said.
The coaches have helped out Retana a lot during his three years at CMU, focusing his work on his style and his ability to learn to adapt. He credits them with helping him better understand the sport.
“I still wrestle a very unorthodox way,” Retana said. “But it is now more controlled, and I can be very risky while staying in safe defensive positions.”
Even though Retana worked hard to perfect his moves, he had to make a huge sacrifice last year. Retana dropped down a weight class, from 285 to 197. He had to drastically change his diet to make sure he could drop the weight, but he knew it would be to his benefit in the long run.
“I was an undersized heavyweight, so the change needed to be made,” Retana said.
The change paid off and Retana earned a trip to nationals, something he has worked hard for. He’s understandably excited to have qualified but knows that just qualifying isn’t enough.
“Although it feels good to have made it, I can’t be content with that,” Retana said. “I’m eager to surprise people at the tournament.”
Granard, a senior from Woodinville, Wash., was an NCAA All-American and placed eighth at the NCAA National Championships as a sophomore, while Martinez, also an NCAA All-American, placed sixth at last year’s NCAA Championships.
The NCAA Championships take place March 14-15 at the US Cellular Arena in Cleveland.
almahan@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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