Troy Tirapelle – Buchanan Head Coach

Troy Tirapelle – Buchanan HS

Central Section

How long have you been coaching and why did you get into it?

I’m going into my 5th year of coaching this year and 3rd at Buchanan High School.  I initially got into coaching because after I finished my degree from the University of Illinois, I did not see myself sitting behind a desk all day.  I like to be hands on and I like to work with kids.  After all, several people spent extra time with me in order to help me to achieve my goals.  I believe that it is only fair that I return the favor and create the same type of opportunities in my kids’ lives.

What are the goals for your program this season?

Our baseline goals always remain the same.  We are here to have fun, stay healthy and improve so that we can reach our full potential.  Having a team with such depth and talent this year coming back, our secondary goals are as high as ever.  Clovis has set the standard high over the past few years and it is our job to try and unseat them at the top.  We want to have an undefeated dual season (which will be difficult with the likes of Clovis, Clovis West, Bakersfield, Gilroy and Vacaville on the schedule among others), and we want to win the Conference, Section and State Titles.

What wrestlers on your team are you expecting big things from this season?

With 9 returning state qualifiers and 1 being a returning state placer, we expect real big things from the majority of our team.  Anything less would be setting the expectations too low.  It’s hard to narrow the scope down to just a few, but here it goes:

Durbin Lloren Jr. (10) – You have to expect big things from your returning placers, and this one is no different.  A lot of maturing over the past off-season has helped him gather the strength he needs (both mentally and physically) to be able to compete with anyone.  He has as good a shot as anyone to win the State Championship

Young Woo An (11) – This kid has gone from a record of 8-22 as a freshman to going 2-2 at the state tournament just a year later and being seconds away from making the quarterfinals.  At just 16 years of age during his junior year he has limitless ability and potential.  Being able to go his proper weight this year will allow him to show what he can really accomplish.

Abner Romero Jr. (10) – Another kid on our team with tremendous ability.  He really surprised me in his growth last year by going 3-2 at the state tournament considering I did not even think he would make our lineup at the beginning of the season.  However, he showed that toughness can take you a heck of a long way in wrestling.  He has put in a ton of work this off-season and is ready to take the next step.

Ross Arve (11) – Finally, we have a relatively unknown wrestler who will crack our lineup and be very successful this year.  His sophomore year was derailed by an injury, but he is back on track and more dedicated than ever to prove that he belongs and can contribute along with the other kids on the team.  After this off-season’s work, I could really see him finishing on the stand at the one that matters in March.

How’s your relationship with your wrestlers?

I try to keep the same relationship with my wrestlers that my coach in college had with us.  It is like a family, and the coaches are at the head of it.  Everyone on the team belongs equally. We do not base making the team/family on ability at Buchanan.  I simply care that each and every wrestler commits to what we doing and where we are going to take it.  Therefore, anyone and everyone who can handle how hard we go is welcome and every bit a part of “Bear Nation”.  They will all receive the same things and the same opportunities… Nothing brings a group of kids closer than sweating together and bleeding together.  And, you need that bond to rely on when things get tough throughout the wrestling season.

How would you describe a typical week of practice during the season?

Simply put… Grueling.  The atmosphere and the competition in the room has grown with each passing year.  Now in year three, we have a lot of kids with ego and ability who don’t like to give up a single point, none-the-less be defeated.  It has created a brawl which pushes all of our kids to be at their best each and every day.  It has made it extremely fun to be a part of as coaches because no one can try to take a “day off” without being beat up a bit.

Who do you think is the best wrestler(s) to have ever come out of your high school?

Unfortunately, I have to say my brother Adam on this one.  It’s tough to top credentials like:

2x State Champion
HS National Champion
3x All-American
NCAA Champion

However, there are others like Ryan Flores (2x State Champion, 2x All-American), Telly Sanders (State Champion, 2x State Placer) Gerard Contreras (State Champion, 2x State Placer) to name a few…

What advice would you give to those coaches who are barely starting a wrestling program?

The best advice I can give is to set your standards high.  The kids will rise to meet expectations.  They want/crave a system that gives them structure (too often times this is lost in translation due to the fact that wrestling is perceived as an “individual sport”).

What is the answer to having a successful wrestling program?

Honestly, simply seeing the bigger picture considering what success should be for a high school wrestling program.  The worst thing you can do is try to chase around a kid(s) or make exceptions for them because they are good (Don’t trade the long-term success of your program for instant gratification.).  The other kids in your program see that and it destroys you from within.  Work with the kids who want to be there and you’ll be a lot happier and more successful (in every meaning of the word).

What advice would you give a high school wrestler who is considering wrestling in college?

Realize that whatever you are doing now, you are not committing as much as you think you are.  Everything is amplified at the next level.  If you want to be like the 2% of people who can wrestle in college, then there are going to be some sacrifices in order to achieve higher successes.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Probably my couch right now, but I am quite a bit of a home-body.  When I am not doing things for wrestling, I like to spend time with my son.  However, one of these days soon (as I have kids that I have coached now coming up the ranks) I would like to make it back to the NCAAs again.  They are amazing if you have never been.  The true pinnacle of our sport!

What is your favorite TV show?

Either the Walking Dead or Archer.  I cannot follow the seasons live though.  I get too anxious.  Have to wait and let them run through and then try to watch them successively on Netflix or something similar.

What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I actually enjoy being a part of lots of different sports.  Through my Sports PE Classes, I have been involved with a lot of the athletes on Buchanan’s campus and love going to their competitions and supporting them in their endeavors.  One day my aspirations are to be an Athletic Director and eventually higher up in order to have my hands in more than just wrestling.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your wrestlers or your program?

You never know what’s going to happen.  That’s why we play the game rather than simply handout awards and championships based on who has what on paper…