From SoCal to the Big Apple for David Aranda
by Stephen Morales
Recently retired ELAC and Hall of Fame Wrestling head coach Ralph Valle has long been proud of his programs ability to help student-athletes transfer to four-year universities. This can be attributed to the athletes work on and off the mat, and for Valle's deep connections to wrestling programs across the country.
One such program is New York University (NYU), where 285lb-class wrestler David Aranda will wrestle on for the fall of 2021. Aranda, an alumnus of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower becomes the third wrestler in a developing pipeline between Huskies and the Violets. "David will be the third ELAC wrestler to attend and wrestle for NYU," says Valle. "Gabriel Rodriguez (Warren HS) just graduated spring 2021, and Adrian Herrera (Pacifica, Oxnard) [graduated] NYU Class of 2018. We established that relationship with as we do with all colleges and universities who recruit ELAC student athletes by returning emails and phone calls."
Aranda points to his wrestling history with preparing him to take on this next chapter for him. "I started wrestling when I was five years old," recalls Aranda, "and it quickly became my whole life. In high school, I was a four-time state qualifier and three-time Doc Buchanan place winner, which is regarded as one of the toughest tournaments. I ended up getting a scholarship to a four-year college, but due to unfortunate circumstances I had to drop out."
Aranda made the absolute most of his time and opportunities taking the mat for the Husky green. Coach Valle had nothing but the highest of praises for his former CCCAA place-finisher. "David is very intelligent with a great sense of humor," Coach valle remarks. "He enjoys conversation and/or debate with everyone he meets and no surprise, he is a conscientious student with a 3.5 GPA." (Aranda indeed made the Dean's List in his last season with ELAC).
"David is a competitor," Valle continues. "He practices hard and wrestles even harder, he placed fourth at the Southern Regional and fifth at the CCCAA State Championships. He posted victories against all the top heavyweights during the regular season, except the eventual champion where he to triple overtime in their first and only meeting in the semi-finals of the State Championships. In addition, David was the Southeast Conference Champion and Outstanding Wrestler at the Conference Tournament."
While evaluating his options, Aranda came away impressed by what NYU had to offer. "The academic excellence at the school, as well as being in the east coast seemed like a great way to expand my cultural knowledge," says Aranda. "Also, the chance to wrestle and represent the school will be an honor.
Obviously, Valle is a big believer in the St. John Bosco alum's future. "The prognosis for David Aranda looks great," exclaims Valle. "He may become a teacher or wrestling coach, we'll see... although law school has [also] been in our conversation."
"I hope to get my degree in organizational management," states Aranda."I would also like to be a multiple-time national champion for the school."
It appears while he excited for the upcoming year, David is also looking to the future as well. The Huskies' community looks forward to cheering him on at NYU and wish him nothing but the best!