After dramatically winning the state title last year in the 138-pound division, Villareal defended his crown in Bakersfield on March 3 when he beat Elijah Davis of Riordan-San Francisco 3-1 at Rabobank Arena. Even though he doesn’t have a college picked yet, he knows he wants to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics, perhaps his one and only shot.
After dramatically winning the state title last year in the 138-pound division, Villareal defended his crown in Bakersfield on March 3 when he beat Elijah Davis of Riordan-San Francisco 3-1 at Rabobank Arena. Even though he doesn’t have a college picked yet, he knows he wants to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics, perhaps his one and only shot.
SportStars Magazine: Was this season any different since you were defending your title?
Nikko Villareal: No, I had the same mindset. I gotta train hard. It’s a pretty rough season you gotta get through. But you just keep it one day at a time, and hopefully it works out.
SSM: Did your preparation change at all?
NV: I don’t usually take anytime off. This summer I’m going to the Ukraine to train with the (USA) Olympic team.
SSM: Does that mean you’ll be trying to make the team in 2016?
NV: I was aiming toward 2020, that’s why i’m disappointed. I’m definitely gonna try out for 2016 during college.
NIKKO’S QUICK HITS
Favorite athlete: Bruce Lee
Favorite Starbucks: White Mocha
Favorite baseball team: Giants
Sport he wishes he was better at: Football
Honorable Mention
Asha Thomas — The sophomore guard led Bishop O’Dowd with 21 points as they beat Miramonte 77-48 on March 2 to capture the NCS Div. 3 girls basketball title.
Chanel Chawalit — The Berkeley junior won the 126-pound division of the CIF State Girls Wrestling Championship on Feb. 23, defeating Lindhurst’s Teasia Lizama 9-3.
Sinorti Stegman — The Albany senior won her CIF wrestling state title in the 189-pound division Feb. 23 when she beat Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Danielle Pubill.