Norwalk High wrestler reaches CIF State Finals

Nathan Ramos finished the year with a 30-7 record in wrestling. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

NORWALK - Norwalk High School wrestler Nathan Ramos may not have won a state title in his senior year of competition, but he realized a big goal in just getting to the last tournament of the season.

“I was happy to make it to the finals in state,” Ramos said. “State was a really cool experience. I really started liking the grind to keep advancing.

I knew it was the real deal. When they started getting into the semifinals, every match went down to the wire. It was quite an experience. Everyone was so good at that level.”

Ramos had known in state that his years of wrestling had all paid off for that moment.

“Toward the end, I felt happy to make it to the end and all of the hard work and dedication,” he said.

The CIF State Championships were held February 27-29 at Merchant Bank Arena in Bakersfield, which is the mecca of high school wrestling.

“Nathan is an outstanding wrestler and a very hard worker in the room,” Norwalk coach Francisco Soto said. ”He was a pleasant surprise. He had a lot of ups and downs in the season and when he had to wrestle his best, he wrestled his best. That’s all you can ask from an athlete sometimes. That when they need to step up and perform and that they do and that’s what he did and that’s how he made it to the state finals.”

Ramos, who also plays football at the offensive and defensive tackle position, had a big transformation heading into his junior year in 2018. A transformation so big, it began his road to the state finals less than two years later.

He came into the wrestling season weighing 315 pounds. He came out of his junior year weighing between 250 to 260 pounds.

Ramos actually had to miss the first couple of weeks of wrestling practice to get down to the maximum high school weight of 285 pounds. 

“I had to slim down big time and really just focused,” said Ramos, who is a three-year varsity wrestler. “Once I got down to that weight class, I was able to maintain my weight management.”

Soto, who was in his second stint as coach had high praise for his senior.“Character-wise, he often showed up  to practice with a smile and was willing to help his wrestling partners grow in the sport. He was always trying to coach up his fellow heavyweights. He looked after his partners and was committed to helping the wrestling program grow.” 

In fact, Ramos even did some recruiting. 

Soto added: ”He recruited several football players to the wrestling room. 

He has an infectious smile that makes you feel good. He wasn’t very vocal and he led by example.”

And he led by example in a big way this past year.

He finished with an amazing 30-7 record, which included a 5th in the CIF Coastal Division and 7th at the CIF Southern Section Masters.

In the Del Rio League finals, Ramos finished second to Mayfairs’ Malachi Lyles, who eventually won the CIF title and finished third in state.

During the season, Ramos was the tournament champion at the 32-team Costa Mesa Invitational, first at The Jaguar Duals (12 teams) and third at the Juan Enriquez Memorial. He also placed 7th in CIF as a junior.

Soto reflected on Ramos’ final tournament of his high school career.

“He was one of only 48 kids in the state,” Soto said. “It’s an honor beyond belief. In that 19,000-seat arena, it’s the highlight of any wrestlers career to get to that point.

“This is the one time of the year that you look forward to going to Bakersfield.”

In his first match at state, Ramos lost in a close, 3-0 decision. His opponent, Travone Houston of Hanford, scored an early 2-point takedown and Ramos could never get that tying score in the match.

“It was really intense and went down to the wire,” said Ramos, who was also an All Suburban League football player. “Only the real gifted athletes made it look easy - it was something. He was freakishly strong.” 

Soto also commented on how close the match was.

“He was in it the whole time and couldn’t overcome his opponent,” Soto said. “I think that he was very happy on how his season ended.”

On his shortened senior year, Ramos said - “You know, it was quite unfortunate,” he said. “It gave me more time to reflect on a lot of things, especially on my future.

“It happens…..we just have to keep a positive outlook.”

Nathan, who was very lucky to have as an assistant coach, his brother Josh Ramos, who started coaching Nathan in his junior year.

“I was glad to have him in my corner, literally.”

Josh Ramos was a top wrestler at Norwalk as he placed 5th in CIF.

“Josh was very technical and I owe a lot to him.” 

Looking back on his years at Norwalk, Nathan Ramos said,”.......when I placed 7th at CIF, my goal then was to get to state and I was very proud.

It was crazy the support I got. And to hear my name called at lunch (over the school speaker) wishing me luck was cool.”

Nathan Ramos will attend Cerritos and hopes to get to the next level.

“If given the opportunity to wrestle, I’d take it in a heartbeat,” Ramos said.