By: Alexis Ruvalcaba
Credit: Britannica.com
Christopher (Chris) Creason is a junior on the El Diamante Wrestling Team. Due to his hard work and skill, he recently committed to West Point on a full-ride scholarship. He plans on majoring in animal science, and he chose West Point because it not only offers great academics but will also allow him to continue wrestling for the next four years.
Chris had his parents’ support in deciding to go to West Point over the other schools interested in his wrestling skills. He explained how he was most inspired to wrestle by his father, who made him start his wrestling journey when he was 16 years old.
Despite there being other schools that were highly interested in his wrestling, Chris chose West Point because it had the support of a full-ride scholarship. Along with this, he mentions his favorite thing about West Point is, “the architecture” of the campus.
Chris said that his favorite thing about ELD wrestling is that “[his] parents are [his] coaches”. He explained that his biggest accomplishment in wrestling is “winning nationals.”
Credit: Alexis Ruvalcaba
He recently won the state title, in a very fierce and competitive contest.
Chris has a set pre-game routine to make him successful at what he does. He claims that before games he, “listens to music, walks back and forth, and jumps around” before he starts his match against his opponent.
The hardest challenge he has faced is his mentality. He explained that it’s hard to keep cool and calm when the nerves or pressure overwhelm him. Chris claims that to work past this he, “ usually talks to someone or puts [his] headphones in to calm [himself] down”.
Chris describes that the key to success is being confident, and for him, this means that before games he affirms that “ [he] knows [he] is the best one out there”. The advice he gives to individuals who want to pursue wrestling in college is “to work hard”. Hard work is difficult, but it will lead to success and take you a long way.
As a student-athlete, he has to manage his academics. To do this, Chris says that he tries his best to complete his school work during school hours, but if that is unsuccessful he claims that he will, “make space or cut practice early to get it done”.
. During league for ELD wrestling, he claims that “Redwood is [his] favorite school to compete against because [he] gets to intimidate [his] competitors”.
As Chris continues his journey with wrestling and his commitment to West Point, he has big dreams that he will be able to become a vet or go to the Olympics at some point in the future.
The Miners are super proud of Chris and his accomplishments. Way to go!