In his first two seasons as a member of the Green River High School wrestling team Jared Flores had a great deal of success for an upperclassmen.
As a freshman wrestling at 106 pounds, he won 40 matches, a 4A West Regional title and finished second at the state tournament. As a sophomore he won more than 30 matches, finished second at the regional tournament and sixth at the 4A State Tournament in Casper.
With two solid years under his belt, there were high hopes for Flores going into his junior campaign. Unfortunately, Flores suffered a injury that would prevent him from competing the entire season. The injury also kept him out at the onset of his senior season.
Two week ago, Flores made a return from injury and competed for Green River High School for the first time since late February 2013.
Flores said as the 2014-15 season went on it became tougher and tougher to watch his teammates compete.
“I wanted to be out there with them, it just wasn’t possible,” he said.
In his return to the mat, he took first in the junior varsity division at the Tiger-Grizz Invitational in Idaho Falls.
Flores said that it had been awhile, but it felt good to return to action.
Last Friday night, Flores made a dramatic return to varsity action a dual against Star Valley. Competing in the 132-pound division, he made quick work of Brave wrestler Brig Hoopes with a quick first round pin. After the match, Flores said he was happy with his performance but he was nervous prior to the match.
“But it felt good once I was out there,” he said.
The Wolves dual against started at the 138-pound class which meant that his return to varsity would be the last match of the night and the outcome could come down to how he faired in his return.
Flores said he was a little nervous about this at first, but that went away.
“I kind of started just focus on me more than what was going on out there,” he said.
It turned out, his teammates had runaway with the dual prior to his match and his six points helped add to a convincing 54-18 victory over Star Valley. During his time off, Flores said his teammates have always been very supportive.
“They’re just a great team overall. I push them and they push me,” he said.
With the state tournament less than a month away, Flores said he is not worried about a state title, he just wants to take it match by match and see how things go.
Shortly after his pin over Hoopes, many in the crowd stood and gave the senior wrestler an ovation and he was embraced by his coaches.
“I am glad to have him back,” head coach Marshall Rhode said last week.
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