It’s clear to see how much Persaeus Gomez’s time in Buenos Aires, Argentina, shaped her wrestling journey to Ball Arena.
In both cases, a final has been involved.
The 120-pound junior out of Pomona High School has learned plenty since she lost in the final for Team USA at the Under-17 Pan-American Championships last June.
“It definitely was an eye-opener to see how far it’s taken me, but also how far I can go,” Gomez said Friday night.
In her semifinal bout against Canon City’s Kate Doughty, Gomez hardly broke a sweat as she secured a bid to a third consecutive state final match in three seasons. She picked up an early takedown 20 seconds into the match, and secured a three-point near fall 60 seconds in. From there, she just needed 10 more seconds to secure the pin.
Even after the win, Gomez (19-0) was still searching for what she could improve on after her quick dispatch of Doughty.
“I was kind of sloppy that match and I feel like I got out of position a little bit, but I made it work,” Gomez said. “… My takedown could’ve been a lot cleaner and then the pin, I didn’t settle in that well but had to re-adjust.”
Where does that strive for perfection come from? Her father and the head coach of the girls’ program, Vic. It also helps that she gets to practice with three younger brothers, one of whom, Silas, reached the quarterfinals at 113 pounds in his first state tournament appearance Friday.
“I appreciate every single ounce that he puts into me and my brothers,” Gomez said. “He wants us to get to the highest levels, but, it does suck. He critiques after matches and always says what I can do better. It’s hard and it’s a tough sport, but it’s all for the right reasons. It’s amazing that he’s my coach.”
The program is looking to take the same steps that the Pomona boys have. Of the five female wrestlers who came out this season, four reached the semifinals.
One of the five who has learned about the high expectations and delivered is junior Sicily Frates, who joined the team despite never having any prior experience. She took what she learned in the room from friends like Gomez, and turned it into a special season. Despite a loss in the semifinals, she’ll wrestle for third-place on Saturday.
“It’s all about work ethic and we all know how hard each of us is working and it keeps us together,” Frates said. “In the room, behind the scenes, we love what we’re doing every day and know what each other is putting in and no one else knows that. … I’m just thankful for coach and the girls to help me realize my potential to help me get this far.”
While Gomez knows the job isn’t done, the impact the sport has had on her is special. And from Ball Arena to Buenos Aires, the passion will stick with her long after what she hopes is another state crown. She’ll wrestle undefeated Lexie Lopez (32-0) of Loveland on Saturday night.
“For any young girls that are looking to wrestling and are wrestling right now, take every day as another day to set a goal,” she said. “Try to accomplish one thing and then just know that everything happens for a reason.”
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