Wrestling:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Over the last 20 years, there are a number of reasons why this writer has gone to great lengths to provide positive coverage of wrestlers, coaches and their programs.

It all starts with their discipline, a tireless work ethic and respect.

It’s almost impossible to be a thug, lazy or a malcontent and reach an elite status.

In my opinion, wrestling is the most grueling and mind-challenging sport at the high school or collegiate level.

To back up that claim, consider the following.

As physically taxing as cross country, water polo and swimming tend to be, wrestlers have to accept a level of discipline and sacrifice that is unmatched by any other sport.

After a swim meet, water polo game or a cross country event, those athletes have the freedom to go out to dinner, eat a full meal (including soda and sweets) and spend time with their friends.

Conversely, after the first of a two-day tournament, which happens throughout the winter season, a wrestler has to remain vigilant in what they eat or drink so they can make weight the following morning.

In many cases, and in spite of competing at an all-day tournament, many wrestlers have to go home, put their jogging suit on, and go for a run just to be eligible for the second day.

The sport also prepares boys to become men (or girls into women) and husbands and fathers through discipline, sacrifice and that same tireless work ethic.

Almost everything they experience, including a roadmap for success or a formula to respond to one’s failures can and does apply directly to their personal lives today and going forward.

One of the area’s best examples of how discipline, character, sacrifice and working your butt off can translate into success on and off the mat is Bonita junior, Tristan Fernandez.

Tristan is also a friendly, respectful and an appreciative young man.

It’s a rare site when Fernandez isn’t smiling, but he also knows when it’s time to be serious and put in the work.

This past weekend in Yucaipa, Fernandez earned his second consecutive CIF-SS Central Division Individual title.

After a first-round bye, Fernandez pinned each of his four opponents on his way to the 150-pound championship.

Micah Freimuth (Redlands), Ethan Zaballa (Norco), Matthew Pacicios (Walnut) and Ayala’s Mason Eligio were pinned in times of 0:39, 0:38, 0:31 and 0:39, respectively.

Just a week prior, Fernandez secured his third consecutive Palomares League championship in as many tries.

In fact, he’s 19-0 in Palomares League matches and at league finals.

Tristan surpassed the 100-win milestone earlier this season.

As he heads into Friday’s CIF-SS Masters Meet in Palm Springs, Fernandez takes a career record of 114-25 with him.

That equates to an 82-percent success rate.

Of those 114 career wins, 81 were the result of a Fernandez pin.

Fernandez began his prep career at 126 pounds.

As a sophomore, he went to battle at 145, and Tristan currently competes in the 150-pound division.

If Fernandez places tomorrow, as expected, he’ll head to Bakersfield for the CIF State Championships for the second consecutive year.

Last year, in his first experience under the lights at the Mechanics Bank Arena (similar in size to the Toyota Center in Ontario), Fernandez went 2-2.

It would be safe to say that Tristan has much higher expectations for himself during the final weekend of February.

Fernandez is without a doubt the best male wrestler in the Palomares League, and he’s the league’s best chance at securing a podium spot next Saturday.

What makes his ascendance in this sport so ironic is the fact that he wasn’t always a fan.

“I started wrestling because my uncle wanted me to try it, so at five, I went, and I absolutely hated it,” he said. “I went back at seven, and I still didn’t really like it, but I kept going back every year after. It wasn’t until the eighth grade that I felt like this was clicking, and that I could be pretty successful.”

While it’s taken him many years to fully get, embrace and enjoy the sport, Tristan Fernandez is all in.

Just ask his opponents.

But what makes this kid special and beloved by his coaches and teammates is Tristan’s sincere and constant efforts to push his teammates to reach for higher ground, perhaps even higher than even they thought was possible.

And when those moments of success happen for them, there is no one with a bigger smile or louder clap than Tristan Fernandez.

After a successful run at South Hills, which included a state champion in 2007 (Thomas Williams), Rob Froh has led the Bonita wrestling program to new heights.

He’s one of the really good guys in the coaching business (of any sport), and his love and dedication to the boys and girls programs are undeniable.

I’ve seen firsthand how the needs of Froh’s athletes come first, even before his own.

I asked Froh about Tristan’s growth over the last three years, what kind of a competitor is his 150-pounder, what is possible over the next two weeks and what he appreciates most about Tristan.

Said Rob Froh: “Tristan has really pushed himself to become a better wrestler. He has worked on his technique, strength and conditioning. The biggest area that I have seen growth, however, is in his leadership. He is an easily likeable person, so that has never been an issue. He has really helped his teammates improve with their own wrestling. He will spend time in practice working with certain wrestlers that he noticed something from their previous match. Tristan is the ultimate competitor. He breaks down each of his matches to see what he did well, and what he needs to improve on in his next match.

Hs is still pretty easy going and not as intense as some, but very competitive. I definitely think he’s capable of making the awards stand this year. I am sure that is his goal. If he can get there this year, the obvious next step for his senior year would be to be at the top of the stand. I love that he wants his teammates to be successful. He is always there to help with advice or work on technique. When he is not competing, he will sit with me when coaching, and always has great insight. He is such a humble young man.”

If Tristan’s work ethic, character and selflessness didn’t fully impress you, this young man also carries a 3.8 GPA, and he won’t accept failure.

He is someone who learns from his mistakes or shortcomings and turns them into strengths.

“My freshman year was difficult, because I had to figure out how high school works, and also, wrestling against older and stronger kids was a challenge and an adjustment,” he said. “Each year I’ve learned how to make my season a little easier. For example, after my freshman year, we decided not to cut too much weight. For my sophomore year, we focused a lot on building up my strength and conditioning, and this year, we are focusing a lot on keeping my body as healthy as possible.”

Fernandez said his ultimate goal is to be standing on the podium inside the Mechanics Bank Arena and that he hopes “I’m lucky enough to wrestle in college.”

There is no sense of entitlement with Tristan Fernandez.

He loves all sports, and he’s a big fan of the Dodgers and Raiders.

He also golfs outside of wrestling season.

His mother, Christina Peterson, has been Tristan’s rock and guiding light.

“My mom has put in so much time and effort to help me get better every day,” he said. “She works nights so she can make time to watch every match I have, and she supports me with everything I do.”

He also appreciates the sight and support of his father, Joey Fernandez, at every league dual and tournament that his son competes at.

Fernandez also appreciates Rob Froh and all of his coaches that have contributed to his rise in the sport.

“Coach Froh has done a really good job of taking me to different types of tournaments, giving me the chance to get different types of experiences, and wrestling different kids throughout the season,” Tristan said. “He took the program to Reno (Tournament of Champions) which was a great experience for our entire team, and he helped get me into Doc Buchanan this year to help me prepare for the postseason. I am very lucky to have different coaches and other wrestlers come through and work with me at Bonita, and I feel very supported.”

Just below are quotes from Tristan’s coach, two Palomares League coaches and two of his teammates at BHS.

I wanted to send out the best to Tristan, and all the area’s boys and girls competitors at this weekend’s Masters in Palm Springs.

To view a photo gallery of Tristan Fernandez, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook

Quotable:

Bonita coach, Rob Froh: “I feel extremely blessed to have someone like Tristan (and his family) as part of the Bonita Wrestling program. He’s such a likeable young man. He’s very down to earth. I had him in a class that I taught last summer at Bonita. He was so unassuming. He could be very boastful about his success, but that is not part of his character. I have loved getting to know him more as an individual this past year and I am excited to see how far he can go!

Ayala coach, Grant Brunier: “Tristan is a great young man and he’s an outstanding wrestler. I have known him for many years now through the CAGWA youth league. He was a hard worker then and even more now. The young man sets goals and puts in the work to try and accomplish those goals. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Glendora coach, Dave Hester: “For the amount of ability that Tristan obviously has, he is very grounded. He always shows great respect for all of his teammates, coaches, and opponents. It’s a rare mix of talent and humility.”

Bonita junior, Cole Parra: “As a competitor, Tristan puts in a ton of work in practice and in his matches to do the best he possibly can, and he treats every match the exact same, with the same plan whether he’s wrestling a guy he knows he’s gonna beat, or a guy that’s one of the top-ranked in state. As a teammate, he’s the best one I could possibly have. He’s nonstop pushing me and the other guys to work harder, do what we are supposed to be doing, and preparing us to wrestle. I admire his mindset in that he’s going to go out and wrestle his absolute best every time, and his ability to wrestle every week for pretty much the entire year, and never lose his drive and faithfulness to wrestling.

Bonita junior, Dylan Garcia: “Tristan is a very hardworking athlete and a leader who always does extra to improve and get better. He’s also an amazing and helpful teammate, who wants his team to succeed. Aside from wrestling, he is also a kind person and enjoyable to be around.”