Thomas Coltrain is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson High School for AZPreps365.com.

Dobson’s head wrestling coach, George Avena, trains his wrestlers to dominate their opponents
from the starting whistle to the final seconds of the match.

With wrestling experience dating back to the sixth grade, Avena has found success while
handling team rebuilds and key injuries with poise. Avena had a brief stint as a junior varsity
football coach, but he moved to wrestling and has been coaching it since 2018.

“I’ve always loved wrestling, but when one of my buddies asked if I would assist with
heavyweights I said sure why not,” Avena said. “I went back to wrestling because to me it’s a bit
more disciplined.”

Wrestling is a unique sport requiring individual participation as part of a team. Most coaches
work hard to instill lessons and values in their athletes that will lead them to success both on
and off the mat. Avena is no different. He goes beyond teaching wrestling skills and athleticism
to push his athletes to better themselves in multifaceted ways.

“In wrestling, everything is on you,” Avena said. “There’s no hiding in here. You’re either working
or you’re not.”

Avena wants his wrestlers to never give up and have discipline and accountability for their
actions

“Everything you do, especially in wrestling, you reap what you sow. Either you put in the work or
you don't and you get that reward or you don’t,” Avena said. “I try to instill hard work and being
consistent as the biggest thing.”

Avena’s hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. His wrestlers focus on what he is
teaching them and apply themselves to the fullest of their abilities.

“He pushes us to work hard always,” said Dobson junior Lucas Swinson.
This season’s hard work paid off as Dobson sent two wrestlers, Keimari Glass and Kate
Denman, to the AIA State Championships.

Avena has not gone without adversity during his tenure as head coach. Dobson junior Daniel
Boyd said a number of his former teammates transferred away from Dobson mirroring the move
of two coaches. Having wrestlers poached to join a different team forced the Mustangs into a
rebuild. Wrestlers there now say that the team is building off a solid year of success.

“We had two big coaches leave for Chandler so half our team followed them there,” Boyd said.“This year was a lot more building and chaining things together.”

Another challenge that Avena has faced is injuries. Losing some of his most competitive
wrestlers to injury hurt the lineup as well as sent a shockwave through the Dobson wrestling
community.

“A lot of parents are not wanting their kids to wrestle and get injured,” Avena said. “A couple of
them have been injured.”

In addition to injuries, this season Avena had to work with one of his wrestlers who moved away
from Dobson but still competed with the team. Glass’ family moved closer to Skyline High
School and he and Avena had to work together to ensure he could compete. Glass eventually
returned to Dobson but had to sit out for about a month before he was able to qualify and
compete in the state championships.