Steady Cashe' Flow

Christopher Quiroga - better known by his middle name of Cashe' - has been money for the Lawrence North wrestling team since hitting the mats four years ago. The Wildcats senior, a three-time state qualifier and 119-pound state champion last year, hopes to compete for another crown when the individual state finals begin on Friday, Feb. 20, at Conseco Fieldhouse. Although it would be easy for Quiroga to simply breeze into the sunset with one title, the feisty grappler is motivated to prove he belongs in the same conversation with some of the state's all-time best. He took a step in that direction earlier this season, beating Mishawaka's Josh Harper 2-1 in the 130-pound final at the Mishawaka Invitational. Harper, a three-time state champion and one of the toughest pound-for-pound wrestlers in state history, had lost only one other match in high school. Add victories over Cathedral's Brandon Wright and Anderson Highland's Camden Eppert, both former state champions, and Quiroga is a perfect 22-0 to begin the season. Following the win over Harper, he improved to 158-14 during his career at Lawrence North. Quiroga appears to have a bright future ahead, too. In November, he made a verbal commitment to wrestle at Purdue University. After college, he plans to intensify his training with the hopes of becoming a mixed martial arts fighter. Lawrence North coach Jared Williams expects Quiroga to have success in college and beyond. "He's a kid that has all the physical tools," Williams boasted. "Sure, he has the ability, but he works awfully hard, too." During a brief moment of downtime, between wrestling practice and joining his teammates in the weight room, Quiroga spoke with VYPE reporter Chris Nelsen about his aspirations to win another state title, his decision to attend Purdue and much more. Nelsen: Rumor has it, while growing up, you weren't happy with people calling you Cashe' (pronounced Cash-ae), so you started to go by Cash (like the money). Why? Quiroga: I don't really remember, but one day I just didn't like it anymore. I guess it sounded too feminine for me. Nelsen: Does anyone call you Christopher? Quiroga: Not really. Sometimes teachers do, like at the beginning of the school year or if I have a substitute. I'm not rude about it, but I'll ask them to call me Cash. Nelsen: After making the state wrestling meet as a freshman and finishing runner-up at 112 pounds two years ago, what were your emotions after winning a state title at 119 pounds last season? Quiroga: It was exciting. I actually felt kind of relieved when it was over because I had finally achieved one of my goals. I'll never forget that night. Nelsen: Are you motivated to win another title this season? Or are you just happy to have one championship? Quiroga: I'm definitely not content. I'm not the type of person that would think I'm good enough to lay back or lose that fire. I'm a hard worker, and I like winning. ... I'd like to win it more than ever this year. Nelsen: You've been splitting time between 125 and 130 pounds this season. Where do you plan to wrestle during the state tournament? Quiroga: I'll probably for sure be at 125. Nelsen: Would you consider bumping up to 130 pounds for the state tournament to get another crack at Harper? Quiroga: It would be fun, but I can't say that I would go take his title. He's beaten me four times (during my career), and I've only beaten him once. Nelsen: What was it like to beat Harper earlier this season? (Harper's only other loss in high school came against Bellmont's Derek Nelson during the 2006-07 team state tournament.) Quiroga: It definitely gives me more confidence because he's basically been untouched his whole high school career. For me to beat him, it feels good. Nelsen: Aside from Purdue, you had a number of colleges looking at you, including Indiana, Wisconsin and Hofstra. Why did you make a verbal commitment to the Boilermakers? Quiroga: Through the whole process, even when I was looking at all these different schools, Purdue always stood out the most. Nelsen: Is there a chance you could change your mind and sign with a different college? Quiroga: No, nothing would change my mind. Nelsen: Would you seriously consider a career as a mixed martial arts fighter down the road? Quiroga: After college, I'll hop in and probably start training and see where it takes me. Just to be able to compete in an environment like that would be fun.-