It's a family tradition
Mark Robles is the third of four brothers to wrestle for ACHS
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers TIGHT GRIP- Camarillo High wrestler Mark Robles, on top, has Steve Berman all wrapped up as the two work on take-downs.

When Mark Robles first came to Camarillo High, there wasn't much doubt he would wrestle for the Scorpions.

It's in his blood.

Two years ago, Robles decided to follow in his brothers' footsteps when he became the third of four brothers to have wrestled for ACHS. Head coach Ron Wilson is hoping even though older brothers Hank and Robert were very successful at Camarillo, the third brother can be even better.

"I remember coming to my brothers' wrestling matches as early as fifth grade," Robles said. "As I became older, it was something I knew I wanted to do as well."

Robles had immediate success at Camarillo by making the varsity team as a freshman. Although he didn't wrestle much that first year, he was undefeated in the few matches he had.

"I was a little surprised I made the team that year and that I went undefeated," Robles said. "I just remember this big feeling of not wanting to let the rest of the team down by getting pinned."

Being pinned is something that rarely happens to Robles, as he has been dominating the past two years. Last year Robles put up a 36-9 record in the 112pound weight division and just barely missed making the Masters tournament.

This year Robles set a goal before the beginning of the season to make Masters. Thus far, he's posted a 26-5 record.

"I want to get better every year and my eventual goal is to make it to the state championship before I graduate," he said.

Wilson said Robles has improved dramatically.

"I think his technique has gotten a lot better over the past two years and that has helped him," Wilson said. "He was always very serious about what he did on the mat, but this year I think he has been even more focused."

Before the year began, Wilson made Robles one of the Scorpions' team captains.

"I like that he always puts the team first," Wilson said. "It's never, 'We lost, but at least I won' with him. He has a lot of great leadership qualities."

With Robles named captain this year, it means he has to help his teammates, including his brother Nick, who's the youngest of five Robles brothers.

"All of our brothers have always said that we think the youngest one (Nick) will eventually be the best," Robles said. "I try to help him and teach him, and sometimes I get a little hard on him, but it's because I want him to do good. When he's wrestling, I root very hard for him because I want so badly for him to do well."

Another thing Robles is hoping for this year is to beat Joel Labman, his rival from Oxnard High.

"I have wrestled him every year since I have been here, and every time he's won," Robles said. "He doesn't beat me by much, and in the end I think it comes down to him having more experience. I know he's very confident he can beat me, but I've learned a lot since I last wrestled him, and I think I can take him this year."

One of the reasons why Robles enjoys wrestling is the life lessons he learns from competing in the sport.

"It helps you in life and changes you," Robles said. "It's made me a better person, and the sport has helped me with sportsmanship. Even though I have lost to Joel (Labman) every time, every time I still go up to him and offer him a handshake when it's over. Some people won't do that, and it's something I can't understand."

Robles said most of the best lessons he has learned have come from his coaches.

"Coach Wilson, Diego Pena, and Frank Bifulco have helped me so much while I've been here," Robles said. "Even when I lose, they tell me to keep my head up and they tell me the little mistakes I made, so I can improve. Hopefully over the next year I can improve even more."