By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo from UTB’s Facebook Page

SAN DIEGO, CA.– It was an amazing learning experience for Unleash the Beast as they finish their second year in operation.

This year was a learning experience for the San Diego based wrestling club, as Brett Sanchez and Justin Martin looked ahead for their third year helping the youngsters in the area.

For Sanchez, a successful wrestler at Clovis High School, Clackamas Community College and at Grand Canyon University, it was about sharing his experiences wrestling at a high level with his wrestlers, a learning experience nonetheless.

“Every day is a growing a learning experience for myself,” he said.  “The mindset I built for myself as a competitor such as training, the stress level, the nutrition, academics, character, the little details and so much more I picked up towards the end of my career. The best part I can prepare these kids for those factors at an early age.

“You always hear and tell yourself, ‘if only I can go back and do it all over again with all the knowledge I know , I would’ve been better,‘ that’s the beauty about giving back I can have my wrestlers prepared for that. It’s exciting because we’re starting to see the turning point of our boys buying into the system and my words. I love every moment of it.”

For Martin, a successful wrestler himself at Redmond High and at Clackamas Community College before going to GCU himself said that the experience coaching the kids was one he never saw himself doing.

But said it was a humbling experience.

“Before becoming a part of UTB I swore I would never coach kids, now I can’t imagine life without them,” started Martin.  “It is been very humbling experience seeing how much we mean to these kids and the impact we’re making on them. We teach a different system than most and a lot of it is attitude and being mentally tough.

“The boys have all responded really well, it’s evident by the way they’re carrying themselves. If we can eliminate the fear of losing and just encourage the boys to go out to have a “dogfight”, than we have won half the battle. The guy who isn’t afraid to lose is usually the guy who wins. You have to go out there with the mentality that you have nothing to lose rather than going out wrestling not to lose. “

The community has welcomed Unleash The Beast, or UTB for short, almost like family, with their arms wide open.

Through all the adversities of organizing events, practices and the natural stress that exist in running a business, or coaching every single day, Sanchez and Martin felt the love from all of the positive feedback from families and athlete’s alike.

“The feedback I receive from family members and athletes is one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt,” said Sanchez.  “Hearing how our student-athletes saying, ‘my grades have gone up’, or ‘I do extra work at home to better my technique and strength’.  My favorite is, ‘coach I’m quitting football, baseball, I just want to wrestle now’.

“It’s great because these kids are becoming goal oriented they want to be the best at everything they do, they want to wrestle in college with a full-ride. If I was a parent and I heard my seven, eight, nine year old kid saying that I would be satisfied with the program my kid is in. It’s a humbling and outstanding feeling hearing the great feedback from our awesome families. We’re only two years old as well so everyday I’m excited about the direction UTB is heading towards.”

On the mat, you saw the success happening, regardless if you were a first-year wrestler or been wrestling your whole life.

At the Middle School and below level: Farha, won the State Championship along with nine state placers. Aaron “Mateo” Olmos (3rd) and Billy Townson (5th), and Aidan ‘Bullet’ Chur (3rd) who also finished in the Top five in the Reno Worlds Tournament. 12-year-old Nikko Beato finished third in the state of California along with Deigo Sanchez (3rd, 14).

“For a good chunk of these kids this is their first year with us and have come a really (long) way from the time they walked in our door earlier this year,” said Martin.  “We could not be more proud of their progress.

“The last three weeks many of our boys competed at three of the toughest tournaments in be country. Aaron “Mateo” Olmos finished with two top 6 finishes at Flo nationals and Reno Worlds, making him a 2x All-American in as many weeks. Dante Preciado, Uriel Beristain were both round of 12, a match away from placing.”

At the High School Level, three athletes qualified for the state bracket while being Masters finalists for their respective schools.

Trence Gillem, the 132-pounder from Helix High School, became the Highlanders first ever CIF State Champion when he pulled off the upset on Returning State Champion and National Champion, Clovis’ Durbin Lloren.  Gillem, a senior, is going on to Cornell University to wrestle next season.

Castle Park’s Dante Preciado joined Gillem on winning the Master’s finals and Helix Charter’s D’rell Gist, a Northwestern commit, finished second in the Masters in the San Diego Section.

Though uncommitted, Preciado is currently being heavily recruited by universities and colleges at the moment.

“Besides our Accolades acquired this last month, the thing we are most proud about is sending all three of our seniors out the door with scholarships,” said Martin. “Trence Gillem will be attending Cornell University, D’rell Gist will be attending Northwest College, and Dante Preciado hasn’t made his decision yet but is being recruited heavily.

“All three of these boys deserve to go chase their dream they have all improved dramatically over the course of the season!”

For Sanchez, he knows everyone that walked through the doors and are a part of Unleash The Beast had a great season and that they are more to it than State Titles, placing at State and become National All-American:

It was the process of getting there.

“Everybody to me had a great season, counting the guys who won a state title, placed at state, National all-Americans etc.,” said Sanchez.  “But there is more to that, what about the kids who came in shy never spoke, uncoordinated, self esteem issues.  Some kids couldn’t do 10 push-ups and now busting out 50-100 in practice, (so) I can’t just pick one or a few because the progression I’ve seen with all the kids that don’t receive a lot of recognition I’ve seen the positive traits come out of them.

“I want my kids to know I will always be in their corner for matches but not only that but in life. Whatever they need I will do my best fulfill it anyway.”

As the famous saying goes, ‘the season isn’t over when the final whistle blows’.  That’s no different for Unleash The Beast.

While the hunger is there, the motivation to get back onto the mat and get back to work, Sanchez has to slow down the kids and remind them that it’s the offseason right now.

“I just remind the boys that there is no rush to win right now. Especially offseason you’re working to perfect your craft,” said Sanchez.  “You can see it in our boys right now they are hungry it’s just bleeding out of them right now, they’re ready to take over and they understand it won’t happen tomorrow but time will go by and one day they’ll be owning the state and country.”

For Martin, he adds that the offseason gives him, Sanchez, and every coach involved an opportunity for one-on-one coaching with their athletes as they amp-up for six day-a-week practice sessions in preparation for the winter season.

“The offseason shows us who really wants it bad,” he said.  “There’s something to be said about the kid who is giving up six days a week in the summer to get his hand raised in March.”

There’s a famous saying that floats around sports, even in your career whatever it may be.  Do you know that saying?

The Best Never Rest.

Unleash the Beast will continue to help achieve wrestlers their best every day, even in the offseason.  Unleashing The Beast within never felt so good as UTB enters their third year.

For additional information, visit their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Unleash-The-Beast-Wrestling-870700872949349/ .