Ryan Rosales

VYPE - You're coming off a state championship win and now you're going for number two, what's been the biggest challenge for you this year? Rosales - "Staying focused mentally. Working to continue to improve and get better. I've got one under me now I just need to focus and stay in tune with what I'm supposed to do." VYPE - How much does it help to have other state champions in the room to roll with? Rosales - "Having Dallas, Ben and all the other guys to work out, you're expected to work hard. It definitely helps a lot. We roll around and beat the crap out of each other." VYPE - Describe you style to me. Rosales - "Fast paced. I like to be on my feet. I have a couple of quick shots. I like to outsmart other kids. I'm a small 145 pounder and when kids try to muscle me, I'm slick so I counter really quick." VYPE - How much of your wrestling is mental and how much is just pure reaction? Rosales - "I'm 50/50. If I go with the flow and just let everything happen then everything just clicks. When I'm on the mat that's when I settle down and think things through." VYPE - You guys recently wrestled in the Border War and lost as a team, what is it like to drop a dual like that knowing you're one of the best teams in the country? Rosales - "Since I've been in high school we've only lost twice, once my sophomore year at the dual state finals to El Reno and after that we decided we don't like losing. We always say second sucks. It was our second dual of the year and it was really a wake up call. We have to take every match like it's the state finals." VYPE - When Catoosa walks in to a gym do you get a sense of other teams taking a quick look to size you up and maybe a few saying, there's Catoosa? Rosales - "You get that feeling. You want people to be scared of you, but you also get the feeling that they're going to come after you. Like you have a target on your back. (Dallas) Coach tells us every day it's us versus the world. We're backed into a corner, how are you going to react? Are we going to fight or lay down?" VYPE - Anything less than a state championship for you this season a disappointment? Rosales - "Yes, very much so." VYPE - What about as a team? Rosales - "As a team it's going to be tough, but it's my senior year and I think we have what it takes to do it. I don't want to leave my senior year not taking state." VYPE - Where are you headed after high school? Rosales - "Not sure, still up in the air." VYPE - Is there one match that really stands out in your mind? Rosales - "Probably that butt kicking I took in the Regional finals my sophomore year. Getting second that year was a wake up call. That summer I started really working hard to get prepared. I was wrestling freestyle and Greco."