Hilldale fourth grader Logan Ponce is becoming a wrestling superhero.
The 10-year-old started out learning jiu-jitsu at his dad’s studio and graduated to wrestling where he won the OKWA state championship at age six. After a so-so year at age seven, he saw better results when he was eight as he started placing in more tournaments and was part of the Oklahoma Elite team which won the national Dual Championships. When he was nine, he joined the RAW Wrestling Club run by Joe Smith, son of former Oklahoma State great John Smith.
“He was hard on me but also a very positive motivator and overall, a great coach,” said Logan.
This year under Smith’s watchful eye he placed second in the OKWA State U-10 tournament and the pre-season nationals in Iowa, third in the Folk Style Nationals in Indiana and capped it off recently by winning the state Junior High All State Tournament as a fourth grader in the 68-pound weight class.
“It’s been a hard journey and there have been times I’ve wondered whether it was all worth it, but I’ve adopted the mindset of every time I step on the mat, I tell myself that I’m going to beat this guy bad,” said Logan. “I’m glad I continued trying and proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. People see all the medals and wins that are the outcome of the unseen effort that goes into that success.”
