Carlos Doria always had the desire to wrestle for La Joya Juarez-Lincoln growing up.
It was the only sport on his radar after older kids from his neighborhood who wrestled for the Huskies introduced him to the sport.
Watching the Huskies win and qualifying for state drew Doria closer to the sport.
“They inspired me to wrestle and I always wanted to do better than them,” Doria said.
Any time Doria had a chance to tussle with the guys, he jumped right into learn wrestling moves, he said.
But at the same time there were people who didn’t believe he could be a good wrestler because he was told he was too small, too weak and the negativity fired him up.
Today, Doria is on the team he envisioned himself on, as captain of the team and currently riding an 8-0 mark in the 126-pound weight class.
“Right now, there is not really any competition until I get to the state level,” Doria said. “I think I’m ready to compete against more experienced wrestlers.”
Doria won the first two tournaments he’s competed in this year. At the Edinburg North tournament, he was named the most valuable wrestler of the competition.
He has been sidelined the last two weeks due to a hand injury but expects to be back on the mat after the holiday break.
Last year, Doria got past regionals and punched his ticket to the state tournament.
“Seeing the competition at state really opened my eyes and has given me the urge to step up to their level to compete against them,” Doria said. “I’m doing great right now and I am undefeated. I have placed first in two tournaments and I’m ready for whatever.”