FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. -- Meet Sgt. 1st Class John P. Rivera Jr., an operations and administrative noncommissioned officer at the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground. Rivera is involved in youth wrestling activities in the community of Sierra Vista. He coaches at Buena High School two afternoons a week.
Rivera is president of the Team Chute Boxe Wrestling Club where he coaches children, four years old and up.
The Buena High School head coach, Mark J. Dannels, said of Rivera, "He's [Rivera] a great guy, and we are lucky to have him work with us."
Wrestling has been an important part of Rivera's life since his youth. "I can credit most of my successes in life to the work ethic, mental toughness, dedication, and character that wrestling taught me," Rivera said.
Rivera started coaching because he wanted the opportunity to pass on what he had learned through wrestling to future generations beginning with his sons, Dominic and Brycen. Both boys wrestle at their schools and Rivera helps them with their wrestling skills when
the opportunity presents itself.
Rivera is well-qualified to coach wrestling. He wrestled all four years of high school and competed in open tournaments throughout the country and abroad while serving in the Army. He is a certified coach through Human Kinetics Coach Education. The goal of HKCE's coaching education programs for youth and high school coaches is to help coaches improve a child's experience in the sport by emphasizing athletes' development and well-being over winning.
Rivera holds a Bronze Certification through USA Wrestling, a comprehensive coaching education program for coaches, parents, and volunteers who are committed to expanding their knowledge in the art and science of wrestling. Bronze Certification is the first of a three-part, advanced coaching education program followed by Silver and Gold Certifications.
Under Rivera's tutelage, Buena High School took second place at the Douglas Wrestling Invitational held Dec. 12-13, 2014. Two Buena High School seniors Rivera coaches, Cahan Saska and Gabriel Ortiz, are currently undefeated, winning both the Douglas Tournament and the 26th Annual Mt. View Duals tournament held Dec. 19-20, 2014.
After graduation from high school, Saska plans to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He hopes to try out for the Air Force wrestling team, he will train with world-class wrestlers and may have the opportunity to try out for the Olympic team.
Ortiz plans to attend college, but is undecided about where he will attend. Whichever college he decides to attend, if they have a wrestling team, he says he will try out for the team.
Rivera's family is supportive of his efforts. "Although wrestling takes a lot of my free time, they know that wrestling and coaching are my passions." Rivera said. "They see me exhausted by the end of the season and happy that I get a break. But they know as soon as the season is over, I want to get back out on the mat."
Wherever the Army takes him, Rivera intends to continue sharing with young people how, through participation in the sport of wrestling, they can develop the same types of characteristics he has--a good work ethic, mental toughness, dedication, and character.
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