Behind the technical jargon of wrestling moves lies a deeper story of transformation at Wakeland High School, where first-year wrestling coach Reyes is redefining what it means to be a mentor in high school sports.

Unlike some coaches who might impose their methods regardless of circumstances, Reyes has taken a different approach to building the program. His philosophy centers on one crucial promise: never letting his athletes lose sight of their goals.

“It’s really easy for them to forget it once it gets hard and they get tired,” Reyes says. “They have school work, they’ve got family stuff… they can easily get distracted and forget what their goal is because it starts to get more and more difficult every day you practice.”

For wrestler Eli Johnson, this style has made all the difference. “We could have gotten stuck with someone who didn’t have the passion for the sport,” Johnson says. “We got lucky to have him as our coach.”

Reyes’s approach of adapting to his athletes’ existing knowledge while pushing them toward their goals has created a program where technical terms like “banana split” and “fireman’s carry” represent more than just moves – they’re stepping stones toward each athlete’s personal aspirations.