Campos overcomes obstacles to excel


California wrestler is thriving despite being born without right hand


By Richard Immel


Sacramento City College standout wrestler Alex Campos started his sopho- more campaign recording 11 falls in 13 matches wrestled. Not a bad streak to start off a wrestling season for a wrestler at any level, but in the case of Alex Campos success on the wrestling mat represents more than per- fecting the craft on the mat, rather it rep- resents the will of a champion. Campos was born without a right hand. One would assume that this would have an effect on one’s ability to perform in the athletic arena, but this is not the case for Campos. The passion of wrestling started at a young age for Campos as he began com- peting in his fifth grade year. In addition he played multiple other sports and excelled. Wrestling was a bit more of a challenge for Campos than the other sports in which he participated.


“Sometimes it is a little hard in certain positions and working out is a little bit harder because I am limited to certain exercises, but I have learned to accept it and work around it,” Campos said. Campos was in and out of the Chico High School lineup until his junior year when he made varsity. Campos qualified for the California state tournament his senior year and came just short of plac- ing.


When the time came to think about the next level in wrestling, Alex was a little hesitant at first, but eventually decided to give Sacramento City College and coach David Pacheco a chance.


Coach Pacheco was drawn to Campos’ no-quit attitude and is impressed with his growth both on and off the mat since Alex arrived at Sac City.


“He has opened up both as a wrestler 12 USA Wrestler


to an apparatus developed by one of the Sac City coaches, essentially a hook that acts as an extension of his arm, that allows him to do strength exercises on the right side of his body for the first time. Moreover, Coach Pacheco and Campos are working on developing leg attacks to add an extra element to his wrestling that has not been there in the past.


Pacheco considers Campos an inspira- tion to the men on the Sacramento City wrestling team. Campos sets no limits for himself in his training as he participates in every exercise the team does. Campos even compared his hand to that of the Star Wars icon Darth Vader, a theme the Sac City team has embraced, going as far as including Star Wars theme music during the teams highlight videos. A strong motivating force for Campos is his mother Sandella Chambers, who has always encouraged Alex to strive for his goals.


“I always encourage him, never consid- ering him disabled and he has never con- sidered himself disabled,” Chambers said.


Alex Campos has turned in a domi- nating season for Sacramento City College. John Sachs photos.


and a person. He is a leader, he talks to people and he wants to help people get better,” Pacheco said. “Everything he has done has been an upward growth between wrestling, academics and his personality.”


Once in college Campos had to adjust to the nature of college wrestling just like every other college recruit. Campos start- ed competing at 197 pounds his fresh- man year even though he naturally weight in the 180-185 pound range. Even up one weight class Campos set the school record for pins in a single sea- son at 30 his first year of competition also placing him third most in school history in overall pins.


Campos attributes much of his success


Chambers never limited Alex’s expecta- tions ranging from the athletic realm or simple tasks like household chores. The backing of his family has always been strong and an important factor in Campos’ successes.


“He always gives one hundred percent and I am so proud of all his accomplish- ments,” Chambers said.


Campos is thankful for the opportuni- ties wrestling has given him to grow and develop both as a wrestler and as an individual. “Wrestling has taught me dedication, to be more responsible and to be more reli- able for those around me,” Campos said. “It has put me where I am at and given me the opportunity to go to school as well.”


Looking toward the future, Campos has set the goal of transferring from the junior college ranks to a four-year institution to wrestle at the next level.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44