Wrestling Philosophy

I. Philosophy: Simply stated, the philosophy of the Rough Rider wrestling program is based on discipline, execution of the fundamentals, and a strong work ethic. We believe these to be the foundation for success in school, in wrestling and, ultimately, in life. For us, success is not measured in terms of wins and losses on the wrestling mat, it is instead measured in terms of giving our maximum effort at all times in order to be the best we can be in all facets of life. That said, we expect to always conduct ourselves in a manner that honors ourselves, our opponents, the officials, our teammates, our coaches, our school, our community, our families, and the great sport of wrestling.

II. Goals:
A. Educational:
1. All of our wrestlers will be eligible for the entire season.
2. Each individual will achieve to the highest of his capabilities.
3. As a team, we will have a combined GPA above 2.5.
4. All varsity wrestlers will have a GPA above 3.0.
5. Ours will be the highest GPA in our league.
6. We will improve on our team GPA from last year.
7. Our GPA will be the highest in the state at 3A.
8. Our team will have the highest GPA in the state, period.

B. Personal:
1. Each of our wrestlers will treat all of the following individuals with respect at all times (this also means never putting himself in a position in which disciplinary action must be taken against him):
a. Himself
b. His opponents
c. The officials
d. The fans
e. His teammates
f. His coaches
g. His peers
h. His teachers and other school personnel
i. His community
j. His family
k. Everyone else with whom he comes into contact

C. Individual Season Goals:
1. Out work your opponent before you ever even step on the mat.
2. Have no stalling calls against you in any match.
3. Score the first takedown in every match.
4. Ride and turn your opponent over to his back in all matches.
5. Explode and score within 10 seconds each time you work from the bottom position.
6. Win your first match.
7. Win your first home match.
8. Finish your season with a winning record.
9. Place in one tournament in which we compete.
10. Place in all tournaments in which we compete.
11. Win one tournament in which we compete.
12. Win all tournaments in which we compete.
13. Finish the season undefeated.
14. Win all of your matches by technical fall.
15. Pin all of your opponents.
16. Advance to Sub-Regionals.
17. Win Sub-Regionals.
18. Advance to Regionals.
19. Win Regionals.
20. Advance to Mat Classic XX in the Tacoma Dome.
21. Place at Mat Classic XX.
22. Win Mat Classic XX and become the only second state champion in the history of the Port Angeles Rough Rider wrestling program.

D. Team Season Goals
1. Out work our opponent before we ever even step on the mat.
2. Win our first meet.
3. Win our first home meet.
4. Finish our season with a winning record.
5. Finish in the top three in our league.
6. Win our league.
7. Finish undefeated in league competition.
8. Place in the top three in one tournament in which we compete.
9. Place in the top three in all tournaments in which we compete.
10. Win one tournament in which we compete.
11. Win all tournaments in which we compete.
12. Place in the top three at Sub-Regionals.
13. Win Sub-Regionals.
14. Place in the top three at Regionals.
15. Win Regionals.
16. Finish on the leader board at Mat Classic XX in the Tacoma Dome (top ten in the state at 3A).
17. Place in the top five at Mat Classic XX.
18. Win Mat Classic XX.
19. Pour the foundation for building the Rough Rider wrestling program into a perennial state championship contender.

If you need to contact Coach Gonzalez for any reason: 565-1584 (school), 457-1182 (Home); email- erik_gonzalez@pasd.wednet.edu