![Phoenix gets in position to initiate the beginning of an intense game. “It's coming to the end of the season here, so [our goal] is to just focus on working harder,” senior lineman Ryan Abbondanza said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_0042-1200x800.jpg)
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Rock Ridge varsity wrestling team hosted its first home meet of the wrestling season, taking on Woodgrove and Loudoun County High School in a competitive tri-meet. Although the Phoenix lost 15-60 against the Wolverines and 36-45 to the Captains, the night was marked by standout matches from several Rock Ridge wrestlers.
The evening opened with the Phoenix taking on the Woodgrove Wolverines. Wrestlers moved through each weight class in three-period matchups. Junior Betsy Polanco, weighing in at 106 pounds, set the tone for Rock Ridge in the very first bout of the night, earning a decisive win with a pin at 3 minutes and 25 seconds.
Having been a member of Rock Ridge’s wrestling team for three years now, Polanco has gained confidence and accountability through the sport. “[The sport] means I’m disciplined, for sure,” Polanco said. “You have to control your breathing in every sport, but especially in[wrestling]. You really have to watch the other players, and it’s more one-on-one, so you can’t blame your other teammates, just yourself.”
Senior Julian Serna, weighing in at 157 pounds, added another victory to Rock Ridge’s tally. His performance at this high-energy match reminded him of why he’s stayed committed to wrestling since elementary school, even with the immense amount of mental focus required. “I had brought home a flyer [when I was young], and it was just a new wrestling club that had opened up,” Serna said. “My first few days, I was trying to get into zone, trying to figure out the sport. Then from there, I just evolved into loving it. It’s often been a love/hate relationship, but at the end of the day, I still really love this sport.”
Serna describes wrestling to be uniquely challenging compared to other sports he has played. “Wrestling conditioning is something else,” Serna said. “It pushes you mentally. When you’re losing, down by 14 points, you always have to think, ‘How am I going to win this?’”
Although outscored, matches from junior Cameron Nguyen, senior Nathan Martinez, junior Suhaib Awad, and many other players brought the Phoenix to a competitive 36 points in front of a packed auxiliary gym against Loudoun County.
Martinez, who has wrestled all four years of high school, contributed to this Phoenix momentum. For Martinez, wrestling started as a way for him to get physically stronger, but over the years, the sport became deeply personal. “[The] Wrestling [team is] just like a family,” Martinez said. “I love everybody on the team. Everybody. It’s a nice, big old family. I like making friends with the kids at wrestling [as well]. After wrestling them, they’re friendly afterwards with me, so it’s pretty nice.”
With the season just beginning, Rock Ridge is preparing to rise beyond early scores. The Phoenix will take on numerous schools on Dec. 20 at King of the Rock, a state-wide tournament which Rock Ridge will host.
