San Pasqual wrestler Elias Espinoza signs letter of intent to Arizona Christian University

Espinoza leaves behind a impressive legacy with the Warriors after winning three state wrestling championships

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - San Pasqual wrestler Elias Espinoza signed his letter of intent to join Arizona Christian University Friday afternoon.

Espinoza had one of the best careers in Warriors wrestling history, walking away with a state championship in the past three straight seasons.

"It's a legacy that we were trying to leave here," Espinoza said.

The legacy Espinoza is referring to is the one also left by his family, who has many members who competed for the Warriors.

"My grandpa, my brothers came through here, I've been here since I was little, wrestling with my brother and just seeing the names on the wall, I wanted to be there, so that's kind of the motivation I had," Espinoza said.

Among the biggest reasons for his success was also the impact of his head coach and father, Edgar Espinoza.

"Sometimes, when you're coaching your kids, they kind of tend to, you know, be like, against (it) but he was all in," Edgar said.

Among all the accomplishments in recent years, Edgar says it was Elias' first state title holding the most weight.

"In our family, we've tried to hit that mark, and we missed that a bunch of times, so for him to win it the first time, it was big for us," Edgar said.

As for what made Arizona Christian a good fit at the next level, Elias says he's already experienced a connection with the program.

"I went to their practice, I was excited just because of the vibe in the room, just everybody's trying to get better, I enjoyed it," Elias said.

Elias says while he doesn't know what he wants to do after college yet, he is planning on majoring in Communications.

"I know student comes before athlete, but I love wrestling so much that it doesn't matter what I do as long as I get to wrestle," Espinoza said.