Accomplished.
That’s how Brandon Varsity Wrestling Coach Erik Donder describes sophomore 103-pound grappler Esteban Gonzales who recently won his first three matches, 7-1,11-2, and 12-0 at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Individual state wrestling finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills last week.
It wasn’t until his final match that he lost 10-4 to Tyler Daniels, of Stevensville-Lakeshore High School. Gonzales left state compition ranked second as a runner up with a 55-2 record.
‘I went to individual states last year but I did not advance as far,? said Gonzales. ? I was very nervous going into and during my final match.?
After four years of coaching the Blackhawk wrestlers, Donder said that Gonzales showed class and character during the long season.
‘With 100 career wins he’s one of the greatest ever since 1974 when the team formed,? said Donder. ‘He’s done an outstanding job at Brandon High School.?
Physically, Gonazles prepares his body for the sport, but he also prepares mentally with the help of his parents. ‘Stevie wants to obtain two state finals and wrestle in college,? said mom Wendy Gonzales. ‘We support him in his wrestling career and we are very proud of him. The goal has always been to get him ready for college wrestling.?
The records have been broken at Brandon High School, but dad is assured that his family name will continue to break the records.
‘I have another son who will be a freshman next year, so I am confident in my boys continuing to break school records and it will just go back and forth throughout the upcoming years,? joked Esteban Gonzales, Sr.