Time and time again Illias Cholakis climbs the podium, standing beside a group of talented wrestlers he managed to beat. Reigning above all, Cholakis has been crowned  as a “King of the Rock.” He utilizes his talents on both the mat and in the classroom.

The workload of senior year is a commitment that is familiar to most students. Recently, senior Ilias Cholakis has been trying to stay on track with all of his assignments along with college applications. “First quarter was really stressful,” Cholakis said. “The workload coming from my actual classes [has] been the exact same, because teachers haven’t reduced anything, even though we have college applications due. I was pretty much working every single night,” Cholakis said. 

Along with academic obligations, Cholakis is one of three captains on the Rock Ridge Varsity Wrestling team. This packed schedule has challenged Cholakis, but he has learned to give attention to both aspects of his life: school and wrestling. “I value both of them very highly, and I want to make sure that neither of them interfere with the other,” Cholakis said. He does this by working diligently whenever he can. “I try to get a lot of my school work done during the school day and focus on that separate and outside of wrestling, because I don’t want to have any of that stress carrying over when I’m competing or practicing or when I’m trying to focus on improving,” Cholakis said. 

Cholakis, who has been wrestling since he was six years old, has been on the Phoenix team for the entirety of his high school career, racking up accomplishments along the way. His junior year season was his most successful so far. “I ended up placing at states higher than the year before, which was my goal,” Cholakis said. Cholakis placed fourth overall in the state competition last year after placing fifth during his sophomore year. As he competes in his final season, Cholakis envisions bigger gains to end a memorable season alongside his teammates. 

This year’s wrestling team is mostly made up of returning athletes, though a few new faces have joined the team. Although Cholakis has been a captain over the past two years, since he was a freshman he has always worked with new wrestlers to teach them all about the sport. “[I want to] help out the new kids and the kids that are less experienced, and the kids that are going to be here next year, get more comfortable in the sport,” Cholakis said.

Senior Seth Cogar was a brand new wrestler last season. He found support from Cholakis when beginning to familiarize himself with the sport. Despite gaining some wrestling experience, Cogar and Cholakis have continued to practice together daily. “I’m his wrestling partner, so we wrestle every day, 5 days a week,” Cogar said. 

“[Cholakis] has a lot of experience,” Cogar said. “He’s the best in the room. I’ve only been playing for two years, so he has taught me basically everything I know. He is constantly teaching me new moves and other ways on how to get better.” Under Cholakis’ guidance, Cogar has made his way to the top, as he has been crowned captain this year alongside Cholakis. 

Over the past couple of years, Cholakis and Cogar have created a close bond. This is their first year being captains alongside each other and they have learned what their strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to leadership. “We talk every day. As captains, we always show up on time, and talk about how we can make the team better,” Cogar said. “We always make sure everyone is there to learn anything we put out during practice. [Cholakis] teaches pretty much everyone during practice; he likes to help people.”

In addition to leading and teaching his fellow teammates, Cholakis is paying attention to the natural leaders on the team. “I am also trying to figure out who is going to take over as a leader on the team when I am gone,” Cholakis said. 

This season, Cholakis has the goal of placing first at the state championship. His coach, Kyle Hayne, has the same goal for him as well. “The goal for this season is to see him at the top of a podium,” Hayne said. Cholakis also has the possibility to rack up 100 match wins as a high schooler, something coach Hayne would be pleased to witness. “Getting a 100 wins in your high school career is pretty uncommon. It is very [prestigious] to be a part of the ‘century club,’” Hayne said. 

Over the summer, to prepare for this season, Cholakis took it upon himself to prioritize wrestling. Coach Hayne had recognized this initiative that he undertook. “He decided to go work off-season. He went out and worked at NOVA Wrestling Club or at Gunston Wrestling Club, and was able to work with a number of wrestlers that are state placers,” Hayne said. All of this dedication was put forth by Cholakis to start out his senior season as adequately prepared as possible to reach his goals. 

Cholakis has proved to be an asset to the team as an experienced and successful leader. “Having [Ilias] at a high level and leadership, being able to build and bring up other wrestlers around him is just great, to be able to help the program, ” Hayne said. 

When he’s not wrestling, Cholakis also participates in the Student Council Association as senior class Communications Officer, and Varsity Club as its Secretary. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. As his high school career comes to a close, Cholakis is having trouble coming to terms with the end. Before he starts the next chapter of his life in college, Cholakis wants to see where this upcoming wrestling season takes him, mentally and physically. “It’s kind of weird because I’ve been wrestling for so long,” Cholakis said. “Not having a set plan or idea if it is going to continue is a little bit weird to me. But as of right now, I am just trying to make the most of it and enjoy the season. If I do well and I succeed, we’ll see where it takes me.”