Texas Border Business
Pharr, Texas – A group of four Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD students in the All-Valley Wrestling team recently qualified to compete at the US Marine Corps Cadet and Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, July 12-20.
The wrestlers, three from PSJA Early College High School and one from Austin Middle School, will be representing Team Texas and taking on wrestlers from across the nation.
The All-Valley Wrestling team is an off-season club consisting of 1st grade through 12th-grade wrestlers mostly from PSJA ISD, according to PSJA Head Varsity Coach Joseph Villanueva. Members participate in numerous tournaments during the off-season to expose younger kids to the sport of wrestling.
The team qualified for Nationals after placing at the 2018 Texas-USA Wrestling Freestyle and Greco State Championships in The Colony, Texas. Members include:
•1st place – Victor Sanchez, PSJA Early College High School
•2nd place – Jessica Villanueva, Austin Middle School
•2nd place – Nancy Saldana, PSJA Early College High School
•3rd place – Nayeli Hernandez, PSJA Early College High School
The students are under the direction of PSJA Early College High School wrestling coaches Javier Rendon and Joseph Villanueva.
“Being able to wrestle for Team Texas at Nationals is an honor and I am glad my coaches were able to help me achieve this goal,” said PSJA ECHS incoming Junior Victor Sanchez. “Preparing for this accomplishment did not start last week or even a month ago, it all began when we made the commitment to give our heart to this sport.”
