Senior wrestler, Mark Zuniga, is graduating from Shadow Ridge High School and rolling into Utah Tech. Although he had multiple offers from other schools, Zuniga chose UTU because the Auto Program stood out to him.
Zuniga found out he had a passion for wrestling over the course of Covid-19, however he has been wrestling since he was seven years old. Although the pandemic made it harder to train and play the sport, he accomplished not only that, but also wrestling every year of high school at Shadow Ridge.
“I discovered my love for wrestling during Covid, where I traveled all through the summer leading up to my freshman year. I think during this time I had gotten pretty good at the sport and realized my potential. I played after that during my freshman, sophomore, and junior year, obviously continuing into my senior year and I am so glad I did,” mentions Zuniga.
As Zuniga was scouted out by multiple schools, it was a hard decision choosing where to go. He wanted a school that was available to keep teaching him about Auto-tech, as well as helping him become an even better wrestler than he is today.
Zuniga states, “I chose this school because of the program in engineering. Not many schools have an auto program and wrestling so when I found them, it was very clear I wanted to go there. I did have other school offers but none had an auto program. I’m looking forward to becoming a better wrestler, and improving my education. I’m also looking forward to making new friends and bringing people up.”
As Mark has been playing this sport for many of his childhood years, he has gained so many supporters on the way. Some of the few people who have gone out of their way to show up for Zuniga have been his parents and siblings.
“My biggest supporters throughout my career have been my mom, dad, brother and sister. They helped me through all my cuts and at some point my brother became my partner and pushed me at practices. A few more of my supporters were my coaches, mainly Coach Spendlove and Coach McKee. They both helped me improve my wrestling so much that I became a contender for a state title,” comments Zuniga.
As all seniors get nervous before going off to college, they leave behind their previous teams, their supporters, and their homes. Another one of Zuniga’s biggest believers was Coach McKee. He played a key role in influencing the senior to participate in state titles and more. As Zuniga leaves high school, Coach McKee hopes he will accomplish all he puts his mind to, as well as knowing Zuniga is capable of succeeding.
Coach McKee mentions, “Mark is the kind of kid every coach hopes to have in their program – tough, coachable, and a leader by example. Watching him grow these four years has been a real privilege, I know he will do amazing in college. I’m proud of the wrestler he’s become, but even prouder of the young man he is.”
