Point Loma Nazarene University’s new co-ed wrestling club had its first official meeting at the end of September. The turnout was small, with about five students, but the club’s leaders said they are still optimistic.
Brianna Wolfer, a second-year business marketing major, and Kevin Velazquez, a third-year health science major, are its leaders. At the meeting, they talked about possible locations for future practices, the need for fundraisers for things like headgear and singlets, ways to spread the word about the club and tournament opportunities.
Wolfer and Velazquez are both experienced wrestlers, having competed in high school. As both are transfer students living in Goodwin Hall, Wolfer recruited Velazquez, asking for his help with her idea for the club. Now, leading this club together, they share similar goals and hope to grow as a club and compete in tournaments.
Wolfer and Velazquez said they are hoping to give people who wrestled in high school a space to continue in their wrestling careers and create an environment where male and female wrestlers can do what they love.
“You gain community, discipline, confidence, and you gain a great sense of belonging,” Velazquez said.
He hopes that this club will embody a college wrestling team that practices and goes to tournaments together.
Luc Lannertone, a second-year computer science major and club member, explained why he believes there should be a wrestling club at PLNU.
“Participating in combat sports improves humility as well as boosting confidence in one’s self,” Lannertone said.
The betterment of one’s character is something that Lannertone, Velazquez and Wolfer all agreed was a great part of wrestling and a big reason why it should be a club.
Wolfer said wrestling prompts dedication, discipline, resilience, confidence, courage and mental and physical strength.
Wolfer and Velazquez expressed how faith and wrestling go hand in hand. They said the sense of community, the betterment of character and the opportunity to participate in something point to Christianity.
“Wrestling tests your limits. It tests how far you can go. Mostly mentally and physically, sometimes spiritually,” Velazquez said.
Velasquez and Wolfer said that the physical and mental difficulties of wrestling have brought them closer to God.
“I know that God gives me strength on that mat and that means so much to me,” Wolfer said.
Wolfer and Velazquez said they are looking to build a team of students who are interested, passionate and ready to learn about the sport of wrestling. Those interested in joining can visit the wrestling club group on the MyPLNU app.
