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Aysia Cortez is First VAFS Athlete to Place at State Level

Venture Academy student recognized by Board of Education for taking 3rd in state wrestling tournament

With her proud parents and coaches sitting next to her, Aysia Cortez was recognized by the San Joaquin County Board of Education for taking third place overall in the recent State Wrestling Tournament, becoming Venture Academy’s first-ever athlete to place at the state level. The award was presented to the 18-year-old at the regular board meeting on March 16.  

“Aysia has been an instrumental role-model student-athlete, both athletically and in the classroom. She is the type of person that any school and athletic department would love to build their program around. Aysia has been a trendsetter here at Venture Academy and built a strong foundation for wrestling in particular. That will benefit others down the line here at the school, due to her hard work and dedication," Venture Academy Athletic Director James Sells said.

Her coaches also congratulated her saying that it takes a lot of time for an athlete to become interested in the sport. “You have to have heart for it,” Wrestling Head Coach David Sok said. And Cortez does. She plans to continue playing the sport at the college level while studying sports therapy.

“I want to stay connected in sports,” Cortez said.

Since her win Cortez has been offered a scholarship to Life University in Atlanta, Ga. to play the sport. She plans to sign with the university next week.

Sok and Assistant Coach Charlie Seang described Cortez as a tough competitor.

The two state-level coaches were high school wrestlers for Stagg High School in Stockton, and collegiate wrestlers for San Joaquin Delta College. This is their first year coaching the Venture Academy wrestling team.

Cortez first began her wrestling career with East Union Lancer Youth in Manteca when she was in the seventh grade. But she said she didn’t start being competitive until last year, the first year that her school created a wrestling team.

For anyone, especially females who are thinking about starting wrestling, Cortez offers this advice: “Stay with it and keep practicing. Sooner or later you’ll get it.”

The Venture Academy girls basketball team was also recognized by the Board for their achievements this season, as well as the boys basketball Coach T.J. Walker, and the girls basketball Coach, Greg Azevedo, who both were named “Coach of the Year.”

For more information, visit the Venture Academy Athletic Twitter page @VentureAthletic. 

Posted: 3/16/2016