Second chances aren’t always given out like new ids. Sometimes second chances aren’t given at all, but when they are given, it’s like there is an angel watching over us. In this time of Thanksgiving, senior John Ortiz is thankful to be given a second chance at one of the things he loves most–wrestling.
Ortiz has been a part of the wrestling team since his freshman year at Noll. The season during his sophomore year was very successful–Ortiz placed in the top ten at conference, sectionals, and county–and that made him all the more excited for the season last year. However, a roadblock came in Ortiz’s way of wrestling.
“One side of my heart was working harder than the other,” said Ortiz. “One of the valves wouldn’t open and close correctly. I had to refrain from any sports that would be excessive [strain on my heart].”
Even after many procedures, doctors still told Ortiz that he wouldn’t be able to wrestle again. Reluctantly, he took off his junior season. Although he was unable to wrestle, Ortiz was still a part of the team to give his friends and teammates support. He attended all the tournaments and helped out as much as he could.
“I would sometimes video tape the matches and help out the coaches with whatever they needed,” he said.
During this time, Ortiz was just as successful off the mat as he was on during the 2010 season.
“I kept a 4.0 GPA during my year off,” he said.
This year off gave Ortiz all the more drive to get back on the mat for his senior year. After more procedures and talks with doctors, Ortiz was given the go ahead to wrestle again this season over the summer. He remembers feeling like he proved all the doctors who said he would never wrestle again wrong. He said that hearing he could come back for another season was one of the best things he had heard in a long time.
“Doctor’s aren’t always right,” said Ortiz, “and I’m living proof that even doctors can be wrong.”
The road this senior has come down has been long and treacherous, but in the long run, successful. Ortiz attributes his success to his family, friends, and coaches.
“The people that pushed me the most were my coaches,” he said. “They had more faith in me than I did.”
Ortiz has a truly thankful heart this Thanksgiving season for his second chance at wrestling.
“It’s truly a blessing to me because I never would’ve thought that [I’d be given a second chance] in a million years. From this experience, I learned not to take anything for granted.”