March 15, 2025
By Madison Quick
Staff Writer
With 16 wins and five losses this season across two weight classes, senior captain Abraham Martinez has proved to be a force on the varsity wrestling team.
His journey began when he was a freshman. He joined the varsity wrestling team during the 2021-2022 season to support his brother, Daniel, who was a senior at the time.
He said he remembers watching his brother’s success on Dec. 22, 2021 against Belleville High School.
“My brother was down 3-0, and in the third period, he comes back and pins the Belleville kid, and he wins,” Martinez said.
He said in addition to strengthening his bond with his brother, being on the wrestling team has helped him build strong relationships with teammates from various grade levels.
“Everyone is pretty close on the team because everyone has to work together, and everyone is training with each other every day,” Martinez said.
He said wrestling’s mental aspect is challenging.
“He’s been the reason we’ve won sometimes. He turns everything around.”
“Pressure used to get to me a lot [during] my freshman and sophomore years. It was hard because I was new to it, but I deal with the pressure now by listening to music, calming my mind, warming up and making sure I’m ready for the match,” Martinez said.
Junior Chase Paglio, who has been on varsity for three years, said Martinez encourages his teammates.
“Abe always tells kids to keep going. When I get tired, he’s like, ‘Let’s go, let’s keep going, Chase.’ He’s definitely a big motivator,” Paglio said.
He said Martinez is able to win in stressful situations.
“He’s been the reason we’ve won sometimes. He turns everything around,” Paglio said.
Second-year Head Coach DeMarco said Martinez’s dedication to the sport has contributed to his success.
“He’s one of the few seniors that stuck it out all four years and is there [almost] each and every day, putting himself through it. Just to see him mature in that way, I think that is his biggest accomplishment,” DeMarco said.
He said Martinez’s greatest strength this year has been his top game, which is when a wrestler starts above their opponent and tries to pin them.
“Abe is very smooth on his feet. His takedowns from his feet are very good,” DeMarco said.
He said wrestling matches can be intense, but Martinez never shows fear.
“He rises to all occasions, and he likes those high-pressure moments. He gets really enthusiastic and energized in those moments, and it’s really exciting to watch him wrestle,” said DeMarco.
