Senior finds passion in wrestling

Senior Jasper Loren steps onto the mat, an intimidating figure and one of the most dominant forces in the league. Within a couple moments he reads his opponent, finds an opening and brings him down with a “whack.” Just a split-second later he pins his foe and is announced the winner. For the captain of the wrestling team, winning sometimes seems too easy.

“I have a love for the sport and I know I had to be top notch,” said Loren. “I guess it’s my determination that drives me to perform so well.”
Last year he placed first in leagues then sixth in CCS, and as of Jan. 22 he has a 17-1 record this season.

Loren’s hard work and success have made him a clear leader for his teammates.

“He really motivates us to do better,” said junior Alan Yen. “He tries his hardest every day.”

Loren said that he tries to stay disciplined so he can perform at his highest level; he eats rights and follows a strict workout routine in order to get stronger and continue to be a threat. Not only does Loren force himself to train to the best of his ability, but he also keeps his teammates in line, every once in a while assigning pushups and “giving a hard time” to wrestlers who don’t practices seriously.

As for the future, Loren hopes to wrestle in college. He hopes to make the state competition this year and could be recruited or considered for a scholarship if he does.

Although Loren continues to thrive on the mat, the rest of team has struggled, falling to an 0-2 league record after a loss at Milpitas on Jan. 15. Loren, Yen and senior Richard Macklin all recorded victories against the Trojans, but it was not enough to turn the match in the Falcons’ favor.

These losses, Loren thinks, could be attributed to the fact that this is Saratoga’s first year in the upper division.

“We are in an upper league, so every match is going to be hard. Some people don’t understand how much harder it is going to be this year,” said Loren. “We need to work harder to do better.”

On Jan. 23 and 24, the Falcons participated in the Mid-Cal tournament at Gilroy High School. Although Jasper Loren was not able to participate because of illness, Nguyen placed 3rd at 121 lbs. and Yen placed 4th at 191 lbs.