Written By: Emily Rogers, Staff Writer
IMPACT: A Step in the right direction for the Polys wrestling team.
Over the century that Poly has been open, athletes have come and go, whether or not they went pro in their adult years, their impact often still stands with the school and is seen on display amongst the campus’ walls. Though some sports are more recognized than others, in the last four years, Poly’s wrestling team has stepped into the spotlight, thanks to senior wrestler and captain, Kris Arrey, who at the moment is the first ever CIF Champion, state qualifier, and state placer in Poly wrestling.
Arrey started on the Poly wrestling team his freshman year of high school; though this wasn’t his introduction to fighting-based sports, nor has it been the only sport Arrey has ever played since starting at Poly in 2019. His freshmen year, Kris played for both Polys football and wrestling teams. However, when asked why he quit football, he mentioned that “it took so much time away from wrestling and [he] knew [he] had more opportunities within the wrestling world” (12). However, Arrey didn’t quit football after an overnight realization of his skills in fighting. Starting in mixed martial arts at a young age, Arrey has spent the majority of his youth training and competing in various forms of MMA (mixed martial arts). His experience, dedication, and devotion to wrestling was just what Poly needed, not only in an athlete, but in the role of captain. Sophomore year, Arrey took not only the position of captain, but future teams success into his own hands. When asked about how his efforts helped improve the team he wasted no time stating, “[he] felt responsible for the younger guys on the team and helping them better themselves” as well as the, “joint effort between himself, the coaches, and his fellow captains” (12).
Throughout his competing years Arrey, focused on not slacking off; he had a goal he knew he wanted to achieve and was unwilling to let it escape his grasp. His success comes from not only his years of experience within related sports, but the routines he made for himself every single day. Between practices, tournaments, and even his day-to-day life, Arrey held onto a cycle that would lead him to success. He committed himself to practicing three times a day, weightlifting in the morning, Poly wrestling practice after school, and a separate wrestling club practice known as Threshold amongst poly wrestlers at night. Even on the mats, he has created a short yet deemed “successful” routine before his match, referencing how he, “sets his ankle bands on the corners of the mat, puts them on, will slap the mat 3 times, and does a special handshake with [his] coaches” (Kris Arrey 12), doing this all while wearing his match day leopard print shorts and carrying the support of his team on his shoulders each match.
As his senior year at Poly comes to an end, Arrey reflects on his accomplishments on the team, starting off freshman year with close to zero titles, to his two and two that lost him his chance at placing in state junior year, before ending off strong placing seventh in the entire state of California. He’s nowhere near finished with wrestling as graduation approaches and his time at Poly comes to an end, and without a doubt his talent will carry him far into the future. Wherever Arrey may go, his time and accomplishments on the wrestling mats will stay with Poly High School forever.