AHS wrestler not satisfied with reaching the state tournament: He plans to win

ASHEBORO — Oscar Zelaya knows what it takes to get to the NCHSAA state wrestling championship meet. He did that in both of his first two years at Asheboro High School. 

Now he’s learning what it takes to reach the podium.

Zelaya, who wrestles at 132 pounds for the Blue Comets, is using that experience his junior year to make a serious run at reaching the podium for the state 6-A tournament in late February. He was 36-5 heading into action this week with a number of tournament championships already achieved this year.

“He is a wrestler who is pursuing a state championship,” AHS second-year coach Cliff Thompson said of Zelaya, who was 0-2 in the state tournament as a freshman and 1-2 last year as a sophomore. “A lot of kids want to do that, but not a lot of kids want to put in the work. We’ve had so many conversations about what it takes, the dedication and the sacrifice.”

Thompson would certainly know. The 1998 graduate of Randleman High School placed third during his sophomore year, went undefeated in capturing the state championship his junior year and wrestled with a torn ACL and placed second his senior season.

This year, Zelaya won titles at the Atkins Invitational, Tigerland Classic, Zack Thornburg Memorial Invitational and the Wildcat Invitational while placing second at the Trinity Invitational and at the Jim King Invitational.

Zelaya has come a long way since his eighth-grade year when he had to be coaxed to come out for wrestling by North Asheboro Middle School coach John Lopienski. Zelaya admitted back then that wrestling may have very well saved his life as he was headed down the wrong path in life before finding the sport.

“I would have never thought I would have gone so far,” Zelaya said. “It’s been a life changer to be a part of this. It’s such a big part of my life. And it’s become so much bigger because of this coaching staff. The coaching staff pushes me. Wrestling has made me a whole lot more responsible. Time management … It’s made me a better person overall.”

Zelaya, always a hard worker, increased his workout regimen prior to his junior year. Being a member of the Eyes on the Prize Wrestling Club for the past couple of years, a club run by Thompson, has given Zelaya even more opportunity to improve.

“He realized he needed to put work in during the off-season,” Thompson said. “He was going to off-season tournaments and seeking better competition. By the time he gets to the high school season, he’s used to that competition.”

Zelaya changed how he practiced as well.

“I started taking practice a whole lot more seriously with the intent to get better, not to just get through practice,” Zelaya said.

Zelaya captured his 100th career win last week and he is currently ranked second in the state by NC MAT.

“He’s a hard worker and a great captain for the team,” Thompson said. “I’m excited to build a program around him.”

It’s been a steady progression for Zelaya. A progression that could help him reach his ultimate goal.

“Get to the state championship and win a state championship,” Zelaya said. “That’s my goal.”