Carlos Palomera is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover La Joya Community High School for AZpreps365.com

PHOENIX- La Joya wrestling head coach has seen state championships to national championships himself, but is striving to give that opportunity, and much more to student athletes. 

Coach Nelson is from Washington and went to Central Washington University. Nelson began wrestling in fifth grade through college. 

“I started actually coaching, like assistant coaching, right out of high school or even during high school, for middle school programs,”  Nelson said “So the deal is when you kind of transfer over (from assistant to head coach), what you don't realize is you got to stop thinking about yourself totally.” 

Coach Nelson watching the wrestlers during practice to ensure that they are understanding the moves. (Carlos Palomera photo/AZPreps365)

There is an obvious difference between being on the mat wrestling to coaching the students in matches. Nelson, who has coached 28 years overall, urged that it was difficult at first, but in the 16 years he has been a head coach, it has changed his view on the philosophy to win. 

“As long as you want to keep on working and getting better every day, you can win and you can succeed.” Nelson said.

“Back then, it was a little different. We're more focused on drill, drill, drill, win, win, win…,” assistant coach Ricardo Alvarez said. “(Now) it's not just about win and win, it's about: Learn, learn, learn…” 

Alvarez has been an assistant coach of the wrestling program for the last year. Alvarez is also a former high school wrestler in Phoenix.

Ricardo Alvarez pushing a wrestler to persevere while in the weight room. (Carlos Palomera photo/AZPreps365)

Last year, the Lobos wrestling program did very well in the regular season but did not deliver in the postseason. However, that experience is only making the wrestling program, coaches and wrestlers better.

La Joya’s wrestling program was also cut for two years by the district while having to deal with COVID. Many of the students that wrestled went from freshman to seniors and the program had to be re-built.

“COVID made (Nelson) start from zero, so his students are all brand new,” Alvarez said. “The seniors that just graduated were some of his first seniors that went through (and) this program is only going to get bigger and bigger because our main recruiters are our wrestlers themselves.”

Nelson has been the one who shown these students and others how to compete. 

“I'm trying to give (the wrestlers) skills that ‘yeah, it ain't going to be easy, but at least you can attempt (it)’, ” Nelson said. “That's kind of the goal, (to) give them skills to handle life, handle difficulties, handle struggles… ” 

Team photo of the wrestlers at La Joya Community High School. (Carlos Palomera photo/AZPreps365)

The season began on November 4 and two senior wrestlers Diego Gama and Mason Barlue are confident as the season has started. 

“(When) I went to coach Nelson's room, he was different. He was really extreme, but like, in a good way, ” Barlue said. “Coach Nelson is like an open book.”

Gama added: “(Coach Nelson) keeps a lot of kids in check all at once, and sometimes it will even make me think like he's the only one doing all that. I think it's helped me, I think mentally, physically too, because he does love to push us to our limits and that's something that's helped me...”