Record Newspapers Athlete of the Week: Aaliyah Roldan, Oswego, wrestling, senior

Name: Aaliyah Roldan

School: Oswego, senior

Sport: Wrestling

Why she was selected: Roldan won the 120-pound title at the Hinsdale South Regional.

She was selected the Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is her interview with Sports Editor Joshua Welge.

Winning a regional - what did that mean to you? How did you feel about how you wrestled and what was the key to your success?

Roldan: Winning at regionals was quite the surprise for me. Truly I didn’t think I was gonna do that well. For the first time ever rather than just throwing my body at my opponents I wrestled smartly focusing more on hand fighting and creating those openings for shots. I think the key to my success was being patient throughout my matches rather than just going in for shots. I’d take my time and carefully set them up.

How do you feel about your season otherwise? Any other matches or tournaments stand out?

Roldan: Honestly this was my first tournament ever that I got first place in so I don’t think any tournament could top this one. As for my season steadily I’ve been improving, making mistakes and learning from them and I think it really showed at the regionals tournament, just all that hard work finally paying off.

When did you get started wrestling? How did you get into it, and what do you like about it?

Roldan: I started wrestling last year, the school was just forming a team and I saw flyers up for an open mat and decided to go. Something about chucking a person and rolling around on a mat is just fun.

Do you play any other sports?

Roldan: I run track and I used to play basketball.

What’s your favorite class in school?

Roldan: Engineering class.

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

Roldan: I don’t have one, during school I don’t have much time to watch shows or movies.

Do you have a favorite musician or music group?

Roldan: Right now I’d have to say Glass Animals.

What is a place in the country or world you’ve never been to, but would like to go?

Roldan: Sweden, it’s so pretty over there.