SMHS WRESTLING
Editor’s note: This story was written before Juarez competed at the UIL State Wrestling Tournament. Coverage of her performance will be featured in Wednesday’s paper.
Having made a name for herself last season, junior Mila Juarez is back, having qualified for the UIL State Wrestling Tournament after winning both the district and regional championships in the 120-lb weight class while being named the Female Most Outstanding Wrestler at both tournaments.
After placing second at the UIL State Wrestling Tournament last season, Juarez has been on a mission to not only return back to State but capture the gold medal.
“I could say that the season has been a journey,” Juarez said. “I’ve been working all summer and all year round. Last year, it didn’t end exactly how I wanted it to end. So this year, I kind of focus on just being in the right mindset, staying confident, firing on all cylinders and just gradually getting better day by day.”
Head Coach Garvin Smith has been proud of what the junior has accomplished this season, noting how she is one of the best wrestlers he has coached while also being the most exciting.
“Mila is an extremely hard worker,” Smith said. “She keeps her nose to the grindstone and that always is going to breed some success. But she has an ability to stay with the wrestling and just bear through anything that she needs to improve.
“One of the things that I love about Mila’s wrestling is she is one of the best I’ve ever seen. But I guarantee you, she will be the most exciting wrestler you’re going to see. When she walks out on the mat, things are gonna happen and she isn’t gonna stop from the time the whistle blows till that match is over.”
During the season, Juarez has compiled a 271 record, improving her overall record to 105-19 en route to winning the district championship.
Having a bye and advancing to regional quarterfinals, Juarez faced a challenge she had not experienced in months, being taken down and trailing in the match.
Despite being taken down, Juarez turned the negative into a positive.
“That kind of knocked me off my feet, and I had to change the way I wrestled, and that really got into my head,” Juarez said. “But I think I needed that more or less because you have changed the way you wrestle. You have to wrestle differently and wrestle smart. You just have to change things up, and it showed me that I need to keep working at these positions and stuff.”
Juarez won her quarterfinal matchup 19-4 before dominating the rest of the field en route to capturing the regional championship.
“It was really nice to dominate in the regional championships, especially because I feel like I do have a big gap in between me and my competition,” Juarez said. “I want to keep working on that gap. Obviously, I want to be the best wrestler in Texas, but [I want to continue to] just keep gaping and I’m hoping that I can keep that gap going at state.”
Smith stressed the importance of how wrestlers need to have the ability to change their game plans at a moment’s notice and how Juarez’s ability to do that has improved her wrestling prowess.
“In the last month, I have seen more growth out of her in that direction than the three years we’ve had so far,” Smith said. “I see an accelerator being pushed, and I’m proud of the way she’s going and doing. She drives and works hard. Like I said, I guarantee you one thing no matter what, her matches will be exciting.”
Knowing everyone is out to pin one of the best wrestlers in her weight class, Juarez is doing her best to not buy into the hype and just focus on herself.
“Something that my dad always told me is not to drink Kool-Aid,” Juarez said. “Even though I am good, and I do know I’m good, just don’t drink that Kool Aid and pretend like you’re the underdog so you can keep something, like a drive in your butt. Just keep working and wrestle through all the positions. Going into the state tournament, people know you’re a state finalist and that makes you even more to have a target on your back. So it’s just staying calm, collected and just wrestling your match.”
As Juarez prepares for State, Smith has a simple message for his athlete completely different from the year before.
“Last year, we kind of went through the entire tournament with the saying ‘Why are we here? We’re here for only two things. Chew bubble gum, kick [butt],’” Smith said. “It seemed to motivate her to go. This year, I haven’t really broken it to her, but my main thing, what I’m going to be preaching to her now is, just let your light shine. You’ve got a wonderful light. Let it out and let everybody see what Mila can do, because she’s amazing.”
