At the end of the last school year it was annouced that wrestling would be offered as a sport.

Coach Brett Wandler had no idea he would be gifted with such a dominant athlete as senior Ariana Mendoza.

“Ariana completely dominates everyone,” Wandler said.

Before this year, Mendoza had never competed in wrestling, but her experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu helped get her to the dominant level she is at.

“I am so surprised to have gone so far in wrestling despite only having wrestled for four months,” Mendoza said.

However, her success in the sport might end in high school. Mendoza plans on attending the University of Texas at Austin, which does not compete in wrestling.

For now, both Mendoza and Wandler have high hopes for the leader of the young program.

“Coach Wandler has really inspired and motivated me,” Mendoza said, “he believes I could go to state despite being a first year wrestler.”

Her successful journey has been something that neither Mendoza or Wandler imagined when the thought of joining a brand new program first crossed their mind, but it is a journey they enjoyed.

“I never expected to get this far in this sport,” Mendoza said.