GILROY—It’s not everyday that Gilroy High alumni are asked to pose for photos and sign autographs. It’s not everyday that an alum is a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion either.
Wrestlers both past and present packed the Bob Hagen Memorial gym Friday to catch a glimpse of Gilroy great Jesse Delgado. The University of Illinois wrestler made his return to his old stomping grounds and brought his entire Illini team with him. They took on wrestlers from Appalachian State and Cal State Bakersfield in the first ever NCAA wrestling duals held at GHS.
“This is amazing; it’s something I’ve dreamed about,” Mustangs coach Greg Varela said. “Having stuff like this and seeing Delgado come home and all my high school kids getting to watch college wrestling here at home, it’s fun. I’m having a blast today. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
Delgado is one of three Illini wrestlers from the Golden State and his coaches thought a trip home for each of them was in order. The Illini started their West Coast trip in Gilroy before heading to Lemoore—home of freshman Isaiah Martinez—and concluded the trip in sophomore Nikko Reyes’ hometown of Fresno.
While Delgado was excited about wrestling in front of his hometown fans, the injury bug had other plans. He was forced to sit out and watch as his team beat Appalachian State 24-15 and CS Bakersfield 23-12.
“It’s cool to be back,” Delgado said. “I got a chance to come back over the summer with a couple of my friends, my old wrestling friends, and I did a wrestling camp. I wish I could’ve wrestled, but it’s cool to be back. I guess I get to enjoy it a little bit more.”
Even though Delgado wasn’t wrestling, all eyes were still on him. Fans young and old asked for photos, autographs and handshakes from the University of Illinois senior and he humbly obliged each request.
Word of the event reached Gilroy alums from as far back as the 70s that had long since moved out of the Garlic Capital. They came from places like Los Banos and Sacramento and told Varela that this was something they couldn’t miss.
“It’s really bringing together different generations,” Varela said. “We’re getting these guys information and kind of bridging the gap.”
But those most excited for Delgado’s return were the current Gilroy wrestlers. It’s been only five years since he wrestled for the Mustangs, but those currently representing GHS were still star struck.
“It’s funny seeing them and how excited they are,” Varela said with a smirk. “They’re like ‘oh that’s my idol’, so it’s good. … He’s really been what you’d want or expect him to be. He’s been gracious and giving advice and being that hero that he is for our team.”
Delgado’s success is having a positive impact on Gilroy’s squad, showing the wrestlers what they can achieve at the next level. While Delgado didn’t give them a speech, he did talk to the Mustangs about what it takes to become and NCAA champ how to avoid the negative aspects of college that can lead athletes astray.
While Delgado has become famous among area wrestlers, he simply smiled and shook his head at the thought. To him, he’s just another wrestler in a proud herd of Mustangs.
“We grew up on the same team pretty much,” he said of the current team. “I mean I’m sure they look up to me, but it’s not one of those things where I’m a stranger to them; they’ve known me their whole lives. They see I can do it (win a national title). I went to the same club as them, I did the same stuff they did, why can’t they do it?”
Even with two national titles under his belt, Varela said he still sees the young wrestler who joined the Gilroy Hawks in elementary school.
“For me when I see him, I still see that fifth-grader, but he’s a grown guy and he’s doing well,” he said. “It’s awesome seeing him come full circle and giving back to his club, his team, his roots.”
For me when I see him, I still see that fifth-grader, but he’s a grown guy and he’s doing well. It’s awesome seeing him come full circle and giving back to his club, his team, his roots.”
