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Arturo Anaya to follow father’s footsteps, join another teammate at Arizona State wrestling

Kofa senior commits to walk-on at Arizona State with teammate Damian Moreno

YUMA, Ariz., (KYMA, KECY) - The Kofa wrestling program has produced its share of success stories on the mat over the years - and now another will aim to continue the legacy at the next level.

Joined by family and friends Tuesday morning, Arturo Anaya celebrated his decision to walk-on at Arizona State to continue his wrestling journey.

The move comes just two weeks after his longtime friend and teammate, Damian Moreno, signed to become the next Sun Devil in Tempe. Not only that, but it cements a legacy started almost thirty years ago when each of their father's wrestled together at Kofa and Arizona State, as well.

Both Pepe Moreno and Arturo Anaya Sr. formed a bond on and off the mat together as Kings before taking their talents to Tempe, and now they will see their next generation carry on the same path.

"My dad always pushed me to do it since he did it," said Anaya. "At first, I didn't even like wrestling until probably middle school. Then in middle school, I found out I was good at this and wanted to keep going."

And it's a good thing he found that out - shining on the mat and eventually placing second in the state in both his junior and senior seasons.

While most would envy the chance of being a state-placer, yet still disappointed by not finishing in the top spot in back-to-back years - that didn't mean much to Arturo who isn't focused solely on winning.

"I don't really care about winning," said Arturo with a smile on his face. "It's just fun pushing your body and I feel like wrestling is a good measurement of pushing your body. I feel like that's what wrestling is all about."

Winning also hasn't been the main focus due to his excellence in academics off the mat. Arturo will actually graduate as his class Valedictorian after an impressive time in the classroom. That commitment to his studies landed him an academic scholarship that helped make the choice of joining wrestling at Arizona State.

Arturo now gets the chance to advance his academic career and continue playing the sport he loves at the same time. And it's surprise that he will be pushing himself at the next level as he plans to go all in on a major and a minor - majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in film and media production.

He will also have the chance to continue a friendship outside of Kofa that began way back due to their wrestling roots - a chance to navigate the college world together.

"Damian has been my friend since we were like born" said Arturo. "I felt like we were always going to go to ASU because of our parents. Our parents have been friends for a long time too and that made us friends. I'm happy that I was able to become his friend."

We wish Arturo the very best of luck at the college level.

Article Topic Follows: High School Sports

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Cole Johnson

Cole Johnson is News 11’s Sports Director.

Contact Cole at cole.johnson@kecytv.com.

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