Athlete of the Month
Cooper Sandoval

Pictures and Content courtesy of the Sandoval Familyand Scott Bliss

For high school wrestlers, June 15 following their sophomore year is a pivotal date. It marks the day college programs can officially begin contacting recruits. For Cooper Sandoval, June 15, 2025, initiated a dream he had pursued for years. As a Nevada athlete climbing the national rankings—recognized by MatScouts as a top-10 competitor in his weight class and among the nation’s top 80 recruits—Sandoval quickly became a priority for elite wrestling programs.
Just two weeks after the recruitment window opened, Sandoval broke his shoulder. Instead of preparing for the summer circuit, he spent the time notifying coaches that he would not be competing. While many athletes might view such an injury as a major setback, Sandoval treated it as an opportunity to mature. He committed to rebuilding his body, focusing on lower-body strength, endurance, and overall conditioning. He prioritized recovery, nutrition, and discipline, ensuring that when he returned, he was better than he had been before.
The West Coast presents a unique challenge for wrestlers at his weight class, where top-tier competition is frequent. Sandoval regularly faced opponents ranked among the best in the nation. His first match back from injury, held at a California tournament, served as a vital measuring stick. His success there set the stage for Super 32, a premier recruiting event where he went 7-2, earning wins against several nationally ranked wrestlers. This performance solidified his standing and intensified the interest from college programs.
Sandoval’s success is built on a rigorous routine. His days often began at 4:30 a.m. with training before school, followed by weight lifting and evening practice sessions. Tuesday nights were reserved for managing the recruiting process—talking to coaches, evaluating programs, and weighing options. His final selection group included the University of Pennsylvania, the Air Force Academy, the University at Buffalo, and Little Rock.
His training opportunities expanded as his profile grew, including sessions with top regional training centers and time at The Compound, where he trained alongside elite athletes. This experience reinforced his understanding that consistent discipline and attention to detail are what separate the best from the rest.
Following his third Nevada state championship—making him the first wrestler in the history of Robert McQueen High School to achieve three state titles—Sandoval competed at the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) National Championships. He advanced to the finals, finishing as the national runner-up and earning All-American honors, in addition to being recognized as an NHSCA Academic All-American.
After an official visit to Colorado Springs, Sandoval committed to the United States Air Force Academy in May 2026. He plans to compete at the Division I level while pursuing a rigorous education
Despite his commitment, his time at McQueen is not over. Motivated by a deep sense of gratitude toward his teammates and his mentor, Jeromy Mumm, Sandoval is focused on his senior season. He aims to leave a lasting impact on his school, hoping one day to contribute to the wrestling facility at McQueen as a gesture of appreciation. With his collegiate future secured, he remains dedicated to his remaining goals: capturing a fourth state title, winning an NHSCA national championship, placing at Super 32, finishing Top 3 at the Tournament of Champions, earning a podium finish at Doc Buchanan, winning a third consecutive Rollie Lane Championship, winning a third consecutive Temecula Battle for the Belt Championship and helping to lead McQueen to another Northern 5A Regional Championship!
Here is the link to Cooper’s First Athlete of the Month for NVSportsLocal Cooper Sandoval Bio Part 1
Here is the link to Cooper’s Second Athlete of the Month for NVSportsLocal Cooper Sandoval Bio Part 2