It has been difficult but gratifying to juggle the demanding academic schedule of AP classes (AP World History, AP English Composition, AP US History, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus) with the demanding demands of wrestling at Buchanan High School. Buchanan High School is known for the wrestling, winning seven state championships in a row and alumni across the United States wrestling. My time management and organizational skills were further refined by my participation in the mock trial team, which met right after wrestling. I'm excited to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, and I know that the abilities I've gained from academics and wrestling will be a great starting point for my future pursuits. I have developed a strong work ethic, discipline, and resilience through wrestling. Success in any STEM field, but especially in chemical engineering, requires these attributes. Chemical engineering necessitates similar qualities to wrestling, such as strategic thinking, intense physical and mental preparation, and the capacity to remain focused under duress. My experiences on the mat have taught me discipline, which comes in handy in the lab, where following procedures precisely and paying close attention to detail are crucial. AP My interest in chemical engineering was piqued by chemistry in particular. I was captivated by the subject's combination of theoretical understanding and real-world application, and I got a lot of satisfaction from doing experiments and comprehending chemical processes. I learned how to approach problems methodically from wrestling, and this approach has helped me a lot in the lab. My capacity to deconstruct complicated issues into digestible steps—a talent I developed via mock trials and wrestling—will be essential as I continue my studies in chemical engineering. I want to give back to the wrestling community, which has influenced me greatly. My goal is to serve as a volunteer coach or mentor for young wrestlers, imparting life skills through wrestling in addition to technique and strategy. I think it's critical to help the upcoming generation of wrestlers acquire the same self-control, fortitude, and work ethic that have been so helpful to me. I have already begun to act on that goal with me teaching a few classes at Pacific Martial Arts in Fresno, California. My growth in wrestling, along with my hard coursework and mock trial experience, have equipped me for a successful career in chemical engineering. I am eager to give back to the wrestling community, which has been so important to my academic and personal development, and I look forward to using these skills in my studies and future career.

As a student-athlete, my journey has been defined by balancing rigorous academics, intensive wrestling practices, and an active participation in the mock trial team. This experience has shaped me into a dedicated, resilient, and team-oriented individual, both on and off the mat. Wrestling at Buchanan High School, a program known for its excellence winning 7 state championships in a row, demands commitment. Our practices are grueling, often extending late into the evening. The physical and mental toll is immense, with each practice session demanding focus, determination, and the ability to push through pain and fatigue. Wrestling has taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, lessons that are just as applicable in the classroom as they are on the mat. I have been enrolled in a copious amounts of Advanced Placement (AP) classes such as AP World History, AP Composition, AP U.S. History, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus. These courses require a high level of academic dedication, with extensive reading, complex problem-solving, and rigorous exams. Balancing these classes with my wrestling commitments has been challenging, but it has taught me invaluable time management skills. Apart from wrestling and my coursework, I participated actively in the mock trial team. With little time for relaxation, mock trial practices frequently start right after wrestling practice. Different skills are needed for a mock trial: teamwork, public speaking, and critical thinking. We consider cases, formulate arguments, and rehearse courtroom protocol as a team. My capacity for teamwork, quick thinking, and effective communication has all improved as a result of this experience. One thing unites all these commitments of my life: dedication. I try to give everything I do my all, whether it's training early in the morning, staying up late to finish an AP assignment, or getting ready for a mock trial competition. This commitment has not only helped me succeed academically and in wrestling, but it has also given me a discipline that will serve me well in all of my future undertakings. Probably the most significant lesson I've learned is resilience. It has been essential to be able to recover from difficult setbacks, such as a bad exam score, handle the pressure of a courtroom simulation, or recover from a hard loss on the wrestling mat. Being resilient entails rising above difficulties as well as withstanding them. Through wrestling, challenging coursework, and the mock trial, I have developed dedication, teamwork, and resilience that I apply to all facets of my life. These experiences have molded me into a well-rounded person who is ready to take on the world, as well as readying me for challenges in the future.

I was considered an underdog pretty much all year this year in wrestling. Particularly in Masters when I was seeded 5 and I took third instead; however, our dual against Poway was the most harrowing. I was scheduled to wrestle the future state champion from Poway, who ended up pinning his way into the finals, so the expectations were low for me. I was ranked #12 at the time and they had me on paper being pinned in the first two periods. Of course I could've easily accepted this fate and no one would've said anything otherwise, it was the expectation after all so why would anyone be mad at what was doomed to occur? Our coaches had us stay in the wrestling room, instead of the mat, so we couldn't watch the matches and have that affect our performance. Eventually I was up and before my match I was essentially told "just don't get pinned" which isn't the most motivating thing to hear before a match. I had done research so I knew this guy was good at what he does and I had done some preparation beforehand but mentally I was beating myself already. I was able to defend his first takedown attempt which gave me a little motivation but eventually he got two and started to try his game. On top he likes to slip in a half and tilt people so I did my best to sink down low and essentially stall the period out. At the very end of the first period he mat returned me with a half in and got two near fall which made my coaches pissed so I knew I would have a grueling match on bottom where I couldn't attempt to even escape. The second period I chose bottom and he rode me out for two minutes with me getting two stall warnings, but this was all part of the game plan. He chose neutral and took me down, but I was frustrating him as he manages to pin everyone- except me. He started to cross face me and almost punch me in which the referee gave me a point. He began to tell me I was "soft" and other colorful language in which I replied "you're welcome". He ended up winning the match but I kept the match within a few points which caused the Poway side to boo me since it was essentially an upset. Their coach then refused to shake my hand and said the match was "terrible" to which I again replied "no problem coach." My coaches were pretty happy with me saying I had done amazing as I defended the soon to be State Champion. Although I lost the match, in reality I won it as team points are everything in a dual. This motivation helped me to do well in the entire season and show my coaches how determined I was to do the best for the team. I ended up dropping a weight class to 167's having to lose 13 pounds to qualify for that weight class for State and my coaches had the confidence I could do it partially because I never gave up.