John Hall, a junior at Palo Alto High School, stepped onto the wrestling mat with excitement and anticipation at the California State High School Wrestling championship in Bakersfield at the Rabobank Arena on March 4. Hall represented the Paly wrestling team in the 189-weight class. Hall was the first Paly wrestler to place at a state championship since 1998.

“I wanted to be the 2nd person to place twice in state. I placed this year and hope to place next year, and achieve that goal,” Hall said.

Hall started off Friday’s competition strong with a 3-0 record, however, he lost a close match to Edison High School’s, Pinkman. Hall then dropped to the consolation bracket where he won his first match against Ryan (Analy) but then lost to Otrambo (Lora).

Hall began wrestling in high school to train for football and "fell in love with the sport."

“The thing I love the most is whatever you put in you will get out. If you work really hard you will advance.”

The fact that Hall gets to wear a spandex suit isn’t the only thing that drives him to wrestle. His coaches, Dave Duran and Tony Brewer, serve a major role in his wrestling career. In order to achieve the best skills possible Hall imitates his coaches as they work with him.

“My coaches constantly push me. I can always talk to them and they are here to help me when I need it,” Hall said.

Hall’s coach Dave Duran feels the same way.

“Win or lose, we are all proud of John, he had to do a lot to catch up because he only started wrestling in high school," Duran said. "It was rare of him as a new wrestler to make state, and he has a year left. Being state champ is his goal, he puts on a lot of mat time and is without a doubt one of the best guys and hardest working.”

Hall also receives encouragement from his twin brother, a sophomore at Paly.

“My brother wrestles and plays football as well, we’re competitive and we fight sometimes but we know how to really push each other towards our goals,” Hall said.

In addition to winning state Hall has other goals as an athlete and a student.

“I hope to wrestle at a Division I college. But like any student applying I have to work hard to have strong grades and SAT’s,” Hall said.

As a junior, Hall has a full year to train and improve himself even more for his senior year of wrestling. Of the top eight placers in Hall’s weight class, six are seniors and will not be competing next year.

“I haven’t set any firm goals yet for the next season,” Hall said. “But, I’m certainly optimistic towards the next season and hope again to reach state and be recognized as a phenomenal wrestler.”