In Polk County’s match against Owen that gave the Wolverines the outright regular season Western Highlands Conference title, their first team regular season title since 2004, Amon Villareal scored a crucial pinfall win at 132 pounds.
Villareal didn’t celebrate. He just jumped up, shook hands and went back to the bench.
But that’s what he usually does. He’s not flashy. He’s not loud.
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And he’s rarely satisfied.
“It was ok, I guess,” Villareal said of his performance, one of only three Polk County wins in the match that wasn’t a forfeit victory. “It’s not about that. The team win feels great, actually, and I was just going out there and doing what I do.”
What he does is just win wrestling matches in a businesslike fashion and at a high rate. With last week’s win over Owen and a 1-1 record at the WHC conference tournament, he’s now 41-8 on the season and 160-50 for his career. He was fourth at last year’s 1A state meet, and second at this year’s conference tourney. He’ll likely end up second in school history for total wins, trailing teammate Zalen McCraw.
He’s not interested in taking much credit for that.
“I don’t really like to brag or talk a lot about myself,” he said. “I just want to go out there and do my best.”
His best is usually plenty. He’s been wrestling for the Wolverines since eighth grade. He’s seen a lot in his Polk County career, and the number on the right side of his record means as much to him as the one on the left.
“I like the grind, honestly,” he said. “I like taking hard losses and coming back and beating them. I like the feeling after that.”
He also enjoys the team aspect of the sport.
“I think you just really do your part, and the team will do the rest,” he said. “Polk wrestling feels like a home to me. I just really enjoy being in there with the guys and having fun.”
