| Hello my name is Sam Gallardo. It all started when I was 5 years old playing football and wrestling with my older brother Noah. We were both following in the footsteps of my oldest brother Bobby, as he was a wrestler at Hobart High School in Indiana. Although, we didn’t start until I was in first grade when we moved here to Las Vegas. We found a home at Shadow Ridge and this is where the journey begins. |
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| Growing up I really wasn’t that great at wrestling. I would lose to almost the same studs every weekend which included: Luke Van Orden, Cannon Montoya, Sterling Dias, and Tyler K. After every loss I kept coming back, and I continued to get better. I can’t thank the coaches and teammates I had growing up enough for what they have done for me. Having my dad as my coach meant no missing practices and having extra workouts. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am today. He was my coach from when I was 5 until I got into high school, and even then he wouldn’t stop cheering for me. |
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| Going into high school at Shadow Ridge was the easiest transition I could’ve asked for. I had friends and family on the team that I’ve known since my early days of wrestling: Noah Gallardo, Matthew Van Riel, Triston Curtis, Trent Smith, Gabe Tolledo, and Tehani Soares. Without these people helping me and being there for me, it wouldn’t have been possible. I did very well in high school racking up 146 wins in just three years. Unfortunately Covid happened and I came up shy of being the first ever 4 time State Placer in Shadow Ridge history. But during the Covid year, I found a home at ATC (Aniciete Training Club). |
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| Under ATC I was able to travel to different states and compete with the best kids in the country. I was also able to go to Puerto Rico and try out for their Pam Am team. I made the team and then got to wrestle with team Puerto Rico in Mexico in the Pan Ams. Without Coach Nap, Alex, Val, and Antonio, I wouldn’t be the wrestler I am now. They were, and they still are, great role models for me, and one day I hope to be a coach just like them. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches Gus Gledhill, Lorin Spendlove, Brad Burton, Brad Mckee, and Ted Johnson. These coaches did everything and beyond for me throughout high school, and I can’t thank them enough. Coach Johnson retired last year, but his legacy will live on forever as he was an amazing coach and mentor for everyone that went through Shadow Ridge. Rounding out my years in high school I wanted nothing but to be the best. I may have not gotten it, but the supporting crew around me made me feel like I did. |
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| I am now attending Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. I wrestled two events being the intra-squad and started for the team at the Millikan Open in Illinois. As of now I am looking to transfer and find a home elsewhere. |
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