Americas wrestler Erica Cobos overcomes adversity to become one of state's best
As a freshman, Americas 235-pound wrestler Erica Cobos had to dig deep and find a determination that maybe she didn't know she had.
The now junior had surgery in January of her first year of high school to replace a tumor in her stomach, a tumor large enough that doctors compared it to her being five months pregnant, Cobos said.
"I was 15 and wondering why me?," Cobos said. "They couldn't tell if it was cancerous or not. I had the surgery, the tumor was removed and I've moved forward in school and sports. I felt defeated but I pushed forward, got mentally stronger and it took time, but I'm back to the sport I love."
Cobos was finally able to wrestle last year as a sophomore and her first match was at a Pebble Hills Tournament, where she surprised some with her performance in large part because she was unknown. That didn't last long. She went on to finish second in Class 6A at 215 pounds last year, losing a 1-0 decision in the finals to Maddie Welch of Conroe Woodlands College Park.
"I learned a great deal from last year and I'm made progress this year," Cobos said. "I've had to adjust to the 235-pound division, but I'm getting there, I'm making progress."
Cobos won District 1-6A and Region 1-6A titles this season and is a leader for the Americas program headed into this weekend's UIL state tournament in Cypress.
She credits father Fred and mother Angie with being a guiding force in her life.
"Both of my parents support me through it all and I respect them and cherish them," Cobos said. "They had harder lives growing up than I've had, never had the opportunities I've had and they've helped make my life great. The support they've given me pushes me to be the best I can."
First-year Americas coach DeVonte Artemus Cook said Cobos has embraced the challenge of winning state this year.
"She's been a great leader for us this year," Cook said. "My first day on the job at 5:30 a.m. when we started practice, she was the first to greet me. She's a great person and great wrestler."
Class 6A El Paso wrestlers to watch at state tourney
Trebor Moreno, Eastwood, 132 pounds
Elijah Molinar, Eastwood, 138 pounds
Gavin Ramos, Montwood, 150 pounds
Dorian Jaramillo, Pebble Hills, 175 pounds
Jose Angel Rosales, Montwood ,215 pounds
Jubilee Rendon, Franklin, 100 pounds
Alexis Montes, Eastwood, 120 pounds
Paulina Butler, Eastwood, 138 pounds
Daniela Romo, Eastwood, 152 pounds
Jadine Mata, Eastwood, 165 pounds
Class 5A El Paso wrestlers to watch at state tourney
Jonas Casillas, Del Valle, 106 pounds
Ethan Salazar, Horizon, 285 pounds
Yann Kizzee, Riverside, 126 pounds
Joshua Rodriguez, Horizon, 215 pounds
Giancarlo Falcon, Hanks, 157 pounds
Judith Sandoval, Hanks, 100 pounds
Keilani Guillermo, Chapin, 132 pounds
Joy Ortiz, Chapin, 145 pounds
Cydney Davis, Bel Air, 152 pounds
Leilani Sanchez, Andress, 235 pounds
State tourney info
The 2023 UIL Wrestling State Championships will be held Friday and Saturday at the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas.
Conference 5A and 6A boys matches will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and 5A and 6A girls matches will begin at 11 a.m. Matches on Saturday will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Conference 5A and 6A boys. Conference 5A and 6A girls will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. The Parade of Champions will begin at 4:30 p.m. and all championships matches will follow. All times are central standard time. A wrestling schedule and participant list can be found on the UIL web site: www.uiltexas.org/wrestling/state.
Tickets: The doors will open one hour prior to the beginning of wrestling each day. All seating is general admission. Ticket prices: Day Passes will be $15 and All-Tournament Pass $25.
More: El Paso fares well at regionals Eastwood girls wrestling team finishes second in Region 1-6A
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Americas junior wrestler Erica Cobos overcomes adversity
