Walnut, Calif. – The Mt. SAC Women's Wrestling team is set to kick off their season and Head Coach David Rivera is eager to see his squad take the mat. The Mounties will open the year with competitions at the Cerritos Open followed by the Firestorm Open at Arizona Christian University.

"We're about to begin our season and we are really looking forward to competing," Rivera said. "We have two back-to-back competitions to start the season, then a three-week break to continue building our skills before March, which is full of conference matches and a couple tournaments."

This year's roster features an influx of new talent alongside experienced returners who know what being part of this program is all about. "We have a lot more freshmen this year," Rivera said. "But we also have several returners who are looking to step up and fill those important roles, and I'm excited for them to showcase their skills."

Depth will be a key strength for the Mounties, who expect to field competitors across the lineup. "Every weight class," Rivera said when asked where the team could excel. "We are ready to compete in every weight class from 103 all the way to heavyweight. We have some freshmen looking to step up and try to push this team to the top."

Although the women's wrestling program at Mt. SAC is still relatively young, it has already established itself as a state contender, finishing second the past three seasons. Rivera believes the team is close to reaching the next milestone. "I haven't won a state championship with the women yet, but we're getting close," he said. "We're growing the program."

Rivera's goals for the season extend beyond wins and losses. "I want my girls to become better wrestlers and compete at the highest level of their abilities," he said. "That comes from training, putting the time in, and not just working hard, but working smart—understanding their strengths and sharpening those skills."

The team's competitive mindset is one of its biggest assets. "They want to compete and win," Rivera said. "If they are competitive in the training room, they will compete hard on the mat." As for outside competition, the focus remains internal. "Ourselves. We're always competing against ourselves and constantly trying to get better."

Looking ahead to the season, Rivera is most excited about seeing his athletes perform and continuing to grow the sport. "Watching the girls compete, watching them showcase their skills, and building the community of women's wrestling," he said. "And, of course, having fun. I hope to see everyone come out to our events and support us."

STAY CONNECTED:

Follow Mt. SAC Women's Wrestling on twitter @MtSACWrestling or Instagram /mtsacwwrestling/

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.