Douglas High School Wrestling Coach Richard Ross held the wrestling banquet at the Elks Lodge on Feb. 5.

Pictured from left to right are, Thomas Montoya, Best Wrestling Record 26-9; Carlos Estrada, Most Improved Wrestler and Brandon Moreno, Most Take Downs 29. Not pictured James Briseno, Most Valuable Wrestler Trisha Maldonado/Douglas Dispatch

The event began with dinner then moved on to some unconventional awards and many shared memories of the season.

“It was a productive season, we have a lot of youngsters,” Ross said. “There are some things we need to work on during the off season but the kids did really well.”

This season the program started out with 45 and ended with 28 wrestlers. We had a few kids get injured but they stuck out the season, the coach said.

Ross, going on his fifth year as head coach, said he enjoys coaching because, “the kids are eager to learn, the coaching staff that I have, that know a little more than me, which is a good thing, I also enjoy the camaraderie between the coaches and the kids.”

The program will be losing five seniors this year. “it’s sad to see them go, but I wish them the best of luck, I wish I could have helped them out better or done more for them,” said the coach about his seniors. “They have helped me out a lot. I learn so much from the kids, how expressing their feels and what it takes to be a good wrestler their ambition and drive kind of helps me relive my youth.

Along with his quirky awards “I like to make sure everyone gets an award because they deserve to be recognized,” the coach added.

Ross handed out top honors to James Briseno, Most Valuable Wrestler; Thomas Montoya, Best Wrestling Record 26-9; Carlos Estrada, Most Improved Wrestler and Brandon Moreno, Most Take Downs, 29.

The coach’s goal for the upcoming season is to take ten to state, which he feels he has the potential to do.

Ross is also looking to start a feeder program, “we don’t have a middle school program, no feeder program, so we are going to establish a feeder program ourselves.”

On March 11 Ross began is off season training, coaches had open gym and the Insanity program.

These programs are open to any Douglas Unified School District student from K-12.

For additional information on the times call Richard Ross at (520) 364-3462.

“I want to thank the community thank our school board our administrators Stephanie Phillips for supporting our program,” Ross said. “And all my coaches and definitely a big kudos to my wife for putting up with (me throughout the season), I don’t mean to embarrass her but sometimes I do.”