On Saturday March 24, Rockwall Wrestling standout Sean DelMonte won 1st place in the 220 pound UIL State Championship! The junior started wrestling when his dad wanted him to have a way to defend himself against people bigger than him. Ten years later, a State Champion was made.

Growing up DelMonte not only admired the famous wrestlers, such as Bubba Jenkins, Cael Sanderson and Brent Metcalf, but looked up to his biggest influence, his sister.

“She always pushed me to be the best at everything I do,” he told the Stinger.

DelMonte trains five days a week with his teammates and sometimes does extra work outside of practice.

When asked what the hardest thing about wrestling is, DelMonte said it’s “keeping the right mentality through all the obstacles,” and when it gets rough [he] asks Jesus for strength.

DelMonte was clearly successful in maintaining that strength and focus in the championship match to win it all.

When speaking of his championship victory, he states, “My cardio was the best it’s been all season and I was very comfortable in the last few seconds of the match.”

“It feels very surreal, because I still remember the extra work I did to get where I am now.”

After high school, DelMonte plans to continue his wrestling career into college and hopes his hard work and dedication will earn him a scholarship offer from the University of Nebraska. Fortunately, however, he will return for the Yellowjackets next season, where he hopes to repeat his championship run.