The Times Athlete of the Week: Seneca girls wrestling’s Catalina Pacheco

With 62.5% of the vote, Seneca girls wrestling’s Catalina Pacheco is The Times Athlete of the Week.

Pacheco won on a ballot that included runner-up Logan Ruddy (Flanagan-Cornell boys basketball), Macy Gochanour (Fieldcrest girls basketball) and Dom Rome (Sandwich boys basketball). The Fighting Irish junior captured first place in her bracket at the Bolingbrook Invitational, posting a 3-0 record that included a pair of pinfall victories.

Here is a Q&A with this week’s winner:

Do you have any nicknames?

Pacheco: My original nickname is just “Cat.” Spanish is my native language, and my coach, Gavin Kurtz, is always learning new words. One day, he asked me how to say “cat” in Spanish. That day, I got my wrestling nickname – El Gato.

How old were you when you started wrestling, and what got you into the sport?

Pacheco: I started wrestling at 16 years old at Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago. My parents had encouraged me to try wrestling in high school since eighth grade. During my freshman year, I got the permission slip from the school’s wrestling coach but lost it. I was too embarrassed to ask for another one and thought, “I’ll just join next year.” I finally joined my sophomore year and placed fourth at the Chicago city tournament.

What do you enjoy about wrestling?

Pacheco: In the beginning, what kept me engaged in the sport was that I was learning quickly and winning. I often heard people in the wrestling community say, “Love the grind.” As I got deeper into the sport, I began to understand what that means. I enjoy how wrestling forces growth, both mentally and physically. I always thought I wouldn’t survive a zombie apocalypse, but now that I’m a wrestler, I know I can.

You’re fresh off winning your bracket at the Bolingbrook Invitational, what was working for you?

Pacheco: I went into every match with the right mentality. While warming up, I reminded myself that not everyone gets the opportunity to wrestle. I was thankful to be at these tournaments, on the mat, gaining experience.

What goals do you have for yourself as the season winds down and the postseason approaches?

Pacheco: My goal going into the season was to win first place at state. I know it will be hard, but it’s not impossible if I work hard and listen to my coaches.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Pacheco: I just started a new class that I really enjoy, Film and Literature Holocaust History. Nutrition is also one of my favorite classes. Ive always been very passionate about nutrition and how it affects your performance in sports.

If you could see any musical artist in concert anywhere in the world tomorrow night, all expenses paid, who would you choose and where would you see them?

Pacheco: I would want to see Pierce the Veil in Tokyo, Japan. My dream is to get a custom-made Pierce the Veil singlet and have all the members of the band sign it.

What was your favorite Christmas present this year?

Pacheco: I just got tickets to see Pierce the Veil and Sleeping With Sirens perform in June. I can’t wait.

You and the team just scored a big victory and are going out to dinner to celebrate. Where are you going, and what are you ordering?

Pacheco: Fun question. I would go to my favorite Korean barbecue restaurant in Chicago called “Chicago Kalbi BBQ.” My favorite item is the matcha ice cream, all the flavors. You know what? Never mind. I want everything on the menu.

Is there something about you that people who only know you through sports might find surprising?

Pacheco: I lived in the Bolivian jungle from ages 4 to 6, and I’ve never spent more than two years in one place, except in Chicago, where I lived for four years before moving to Seneca.

Do you have any college plans? Do they involve sports?

Pacheco: My goal is to earn a full scholarship for wrestling. I want to see how far I can go in the sport.Having the opportunity of competing in the Olympics is the goal. Academically, I’m considering studying finance or medicine.