Lightning Wrestling

Cypress Bay High School wrestling is making a name for itself…and Senior Anthony Rubio couldn’t be happier.

“I love wrestling so much and I am so happy that our team is doing so well,” Rubio said.

Rubio, an avid wrestler since middle school, recently came in second place in the Broward County Championship Tournament competing against 30 other high school wrestlers. As a member of the Lightning Wrestling team, he has also been successful winning 40 of his 50 matches over the past two years. The team is currently 3-10 and Rubio was one of three wrestlers to win first place in the District tournament for his weight division.

“It is such an amazing feeling to win a match and know that you have helped your team succeed, as well,” Rubio said.

Rubio says he is passionate about his sport and watches wrestling, reviews tapes, or practices every day. He has competed in over 200 matches and hopes to continue wrestling in college in the fall.

“I still get nervous before a match, but I think it through very careful before I step onto the mat,” Rubio said.

Rubio said that most people do not have a full understanding of what is involved in wrestling.

“You have to think about twenty different things at once,” Rubio said. “It is tough both mentally and physically and not everyone can do it.”

Rubio’s coach Michael Davis, has watched him improve over the past two years and said he is extremely impressed by his determination and focus.

“Anthony is a very hard worker and is dedicated to his sport,” Davis said. “He was always willing to step up and help his other team members.”

Rubio added that the thing he likes the most about wrestling is that he never knows what is going to happen next.

“It’s all about you and if you do well, it is because you worked hard,” he added.

However, Rubio said his teammates success has added to the excitement this season.

Freshman Miles Doleman came in seventh in the county tournament and first in districts for his weight division. Freshman Alex Abramat also came in first place for his division. Other wrestlers contributing to their success this year are Juniors Enrique Machado and Daniel Jowdy, Sophomores Michael Borrero, Daniel Parado, and Rodrigo Bustamante, Freshman Evan Marcus, and Senior Zachary Sass.

“We know what we need to get done and we hope to make Cypress Bay a dominant wrestling team in Broward County in the very near future,” Davis said.