Sophomore Wrestler Kenny Paredes On
Photo by Rebecca Holt
High school sports have always provided a mix of desire, camaraderie, passion, and more than anyone’s fair share of ups and downs. Rarely do we find someone smiling his way completely through the season, but this is not the case for Spartan Wrestler Kenny Paredes, who cheers on his teammates with a smile from the sidelines and smiles all the way to victory on the mat.
Why did Kenny wrestle this year? Simple: “I wrestled this year because I like to win!” Kenny exclaimed. When asked about his favorite part of being on the team Kenny responded, “Sometimes when I get to wrestle somebody else, it really helps me.” Relating this back to his favorite memory of the season so far, Kenny said, “I love winning my matches, because I have wrestled hard.” Wrestling in the heavyweight class for junior varsity, Kenny has developed a strong bond with several of the team’s wrestlers. “I wrestle a lot with my friends. Thomas Currington is teaching me how to wrestle. And, Spencer Ladd takes me down, and teaches me a lot of moves through experience.”
Currington reflected on Kenny’s presence this year: “He listens a lot and follows directions very well. He is really a great contribution to the team. Every time he is out on the mat, he gives it his all, for the entire match. And during practice, he adds quite the sense of humor while taking his drive to a new level every time.” Thomas, having worked with Kenny in Unified Sports over the past year has noticed a change in Kenny this year. “I work with him in Unified and I think he has built a lot of confidence because of wrestling this year. I have also noticed a sort of respect that he has gained towards everyone after getting on the mat.”
Thomas says that the most important thing about Kenny is his team support, “Even in loss Kenny finds a way to be optimistic. He comes straight off of the mat to cheer the rest of his teammates on like normal. He never even thinks to miss a beat.”
Taking first place in this previous weekend’s tournament and winning his match versus Fairview last week, it would seem Kenny has a lot to smile about. “Seeing him out there on the mat in practice and during a competition I feel has really brought the team together this year. Rather than arguing a lot like we have in the past, we unite knowing we need to all help Kenny out so he can get even better than he is now,” Senior Wrestler Peter Taylor said.
Planning on continuing his high school wrestling career through the next few years, Kenny plans on honing his technique even further. “When I am wrestling the kid out there, all I think about is that he is going to lose and I will win,” Kenny said. Encouraging the team with his optimistic nature, Kenny has been – and will certainly remain – a strong asset to the TJ Spartan Wrestling team.
