In Memory

Ryan Andrew Higgins

West Hills High School

During his high school wrestling career, Ryan liked to set his goals high. Though he may not achieved everything he set out to accomplish, he took great personal satisfaction in what he did manage to achieve. He will be missed by the San Diego County wrestling community.

High School Statistics

2000-2001

5th place @ 112 pounds, San Diego Section Division I championships

Ryan Higgins Wrestler's Diary

August 23, 2000

I weighed 129 and with a week to go till the State Games, I decided to go 119s. So I found this diet and  I went for it.  It was easier than I thought. The day of the weigh-ins I weighed 120. I went to the gym and sat in the sauna. When I weighed in, I had to lose .2 and I did. I celebrated by going to Hometown Buffet ... I gained 6 lbs.

I did better than I thought at the tourney. I won my first two matches, including a 6-4 upset over Hilltop’s Chris Angelo, last year’s State Games champ. Then I lost 17-0 to San Diego’s Roberto Araiza, a (CIF) State qualifier. I won my next, and met Angelo for the 3rd and 4th place match. I lost. But I was not that disappointed. I made my weight and did better than most thought I would.

Two weeks later, we went to camp. I won 8 and lost 6. I lost two matches I should have won, but that’s  life. I wrestled both Galvan bros. And got a reversal on Jake. I got pinned in both matches. I wrestled a kid named Aurther, who was a match away from qualifying for state and had just gotten back from nationals. Result 3-1 me! I won.  I wrestled another guy who was a match away from state. I won 3-2. I felt I had a very successful camp. I wrestled 120-130.

My goal for next year is to make 112 and go to state. I hope to place, but it’s not the most important thing. I'll worry about that if I qualify. If I make 112s easily, I will try to cut to 103s. If I make that, I plan to place at state.

But we’ll see if any of that happens. If I end up not wrestling at any of those weights, my goal is to win 10 more than I lose and place at every tourney.