“EJ’s Moment”
A simple formula for success is to work harder than your opponent. It is simple in theory, but more difficult to practice when the “guy” you are trying to out work is on another team, training in a way you are not aware of. How can you work harder than him if you are not sure what he is doing?
If you are on a great team you simply have to do more than everyone around you. Chances are if you are outworking your teammates, you are outworking your opponents. Stanford has a lot of talent on the team, and the athletes who do the “extra”, will almost certainly put themselves in position to be very successful on the Division I level.
This approach is apparent at Stanford. When I blow the final whistle at the end of a tough practice, gather the team for a quick breakdown, and send them on their way to take on the other areas of their college life, many of the wrestlers will stay and continue to work. Six to eight of them will continue to ask questions about technique or simply get reps of techniques they have been working on.
There is a fairly steady rotation of individuals who stay after the final whistle, but one of the most consistent is EJ Parco. Even as I call it quits (I’m a lifelong practitioner of the be the last guy in the room mentality) and head to the office, EJ will often still be working as I close the door on my participation in the training session.
And boy am I glad he puts in the extra work.
The Arizona state dual started at 157, and after a back and forth battle that saw five changes in who was leading the dual, it came down to the final match at 149 with Stanford up 21-18. There was a lot on the line. If we lose the individual match, the team score is tied, but we would lose on criteria (greatest number of forfeits).
So it is up to EJ, a true freshman, and he is wrestling the #14 ranked wrestler in the country. A tall task for a freshman who probably still gets lost on campus. On paper, the dual is lost, but paper hasn’t witnessed what everyone on this team has…EJ working more than his opponents.
The first two periods were tight, with EJ taking more offensive attempts than his opponent, but he was not able to convert the action into points. It was a tough match with both wrestlers focused and determined to get the win for both themselves and the team. With the score tied in the third and about thirty seconds to go the Arizona State wrestler takes a quick shot. Instinctively, EJ quickly defends and counters for a quick go behind. The ref signals three and the Stanford crowd erupts. Stanford wins the dual 24-18. EJ’s hand is raised and he is carried off the mat by his team. An incredible moment for EJ and the team.
Not surprisingly, I have seen EJ practice that technique quite a few times…not during practice…but after. A data point for the rest of the team to take note of.
In my 30 or so years of involvement in DI wrestling I have watched a lot of wrestlers start the season strong, working after practice early in the season, but as time moves on, the commitment fades, especially for those who do not get the success they think they deserve.
EJ is different. After a tough Midlands, where EJ went 1-2, and did not compete to the level of his expectations, he could have easily fallen into the routine of not doing the extra work. Alternatively, EJ seemed to double down on his work and committed even more. Everyone is certainly glad he did, because it allowed him to be the hero of the Arizona State dual. It’s also pretty cool he is a local boy.
While EJ was the hero of the day, a few other team members set him up for the moment. Grigor (157) and Stemmet (197) were able to pick up regular decisions in a controlling manner. Norman (174), Knox (133), and Miranda (141) created a chaotic environment that they controlled and were able to secure bonus points in their matches.
It was a fun dual, with the best crowd I have witnessed since my arrival, and things are moving in the right direction for Stanford Wrestling. More exciting times like these to come!
“Parco’s Moment”
Please join us this coming Sunday! All home duals this season are free admission.
Stanford vs. Virginia
“Women’s Wrestling Appreciation Day”
2:00pm
*Pre Match Chalk Talk in Kissick Auditorium
*(across the patio from the entrance of Maples Pavilion)
*Get the rundown from Coach Ayres before the dual begins.
3:00pm
*Stanford vs. Virginia begins in Maples Pavilion
*Women’s Wrestling Honorees celebrated at intermission:
Joan Fulp
Sandra Fakaosi
Sara McMann
Shannon Williams Yancey
Amy Zirneklis
Afsoon Johnston
Coach Albert Perez
Patricia Miranda
*Autograph line with women’s wrestling honorees at the end of the match
