By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — Even though Joshua De Hoyos boasts roughly the same individual record he did a year ago, more than week away from the district championship, the Weslaco High wrestler finds himself in a much different position.
Last year, he went 29-0 before his first loss, and he proceeded to place at district and regionals, before losing at state. Admittedly nervous at the time, De Hoyos promised himself never to shrink in the moment again.
“I just had to realize it was another tournament, that it was nothing big,” he said. “You just have to think of it as another guy you have to beat.”
That simplification has allowed De Hoyos to steamroll through the competition with a newfound confidence. He is undefeated through 27 matches now, and carries himself with the type of confidence often seen in more experienced wrestlers.
Coach Rolando Becerra said much of that has to do with the expectation level. Where some programs may be OK with incremental growth, Becerra implores his wrestlers to reach for their ceiling that year, rather than wait for their junior or senior seasons.
“That’s something we expect from all of them,” Becerra said. “We don’t tell them, ‘You’re only a freshman or sophomore. That’s why they’re beating you.’ No. That’s a defeatist attitude, and there’s no real urgency to succeed.
“Here, we coach them up. ‘When you go out there, you’re going to beat them.’ And Joshua has really bought into that.”
Never has that concept been more crucial for Weslaco than this year, as it carries a roster devoid of seniors. Much of the leadership responsibility, in fact, falls on juniors and sophomores, like De Hoyos, who worked tirelessly during the offseason to add 10 pounds to his 110-pound frame.
Last year, De Hoyos made a name for himself as an aggressive wrestler. But this season, he finds himself putting more thought into his attack.
In his mind, he devises a plan to defeat his opponent, and considers backup plans, in case the first couple of options fail. That’s the “visualization” segment of Becerra’s practices, where he urges wrestlers to formulate escape routes.
It’s helped give De Hoyos a sense of calm as he enters the meat of his schedule. First with the District 16-6A championship Feb. 5-6, then, if he qualifies, the Region IV-6A meet Feb. 12-13.
“Going against some stronger guys last year, I was very timid. I was kind of scared by how they looked,” De Hoyos said. “But when I wrestled against them this year, they didn’t seem as strong to me anymore. My technique and everything just helped me out.”
Looking back at last year, De Hoyos understands the importance of staying calm under pressure. Losing before district last year “kind of broke me down,” De Hoyos admitted. But he learned how to clear his mind and look ahead to the next opportunity.
It’s that mindset that helped him win the 88-team Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Invitational earlier this month.
“It was an awesome experience,” De Hoyos said. “Seeing those mats and those lights, and all those wrestlers, it pumped me up.”
Gradually, his confidence has blossomed, which could be the deciding factor if he places at regionals again.
“The two matches he had (at state last year), I think he realized they weren’t that much better than him,” Becerra said. “I think that’s the thing kids find out, that when you go to Dallas, Houston or Houston, they realize it’s competitive. They may know a little here here and there, but I know a trick here too. That’s why I think he’s fearless in that regard, because he’s been around the best, and he is one of the best.
“When you’re at state, you’re one of the top 16 wrestlers in the state in your weight class, and that’s something he’s hung on to.”
Wrestling this year, De Hoyos doesn’t have those moments of doubt or insecurity, like he did his freshman season.
“If anything, it feels like I’m at home when I’m on the mat,” he said. “I’m so comfortable out there.”