Letter of Intent: Stallions wrestler heads to Central College in Iowa
Courtesy of Christopher Cross Carlos Posas stands with his parents and coaches during Madera South wrestling Senior Night in February. Posas signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle at Central College in Iowa in the fall.
After four years in the Madera South wrestling program, picking up many wins along the way, Carlos “Anthony” Posas signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle at Div. III Central College in Pella, Iowa.
Posas is the first collegiate signee for third-year head coach Sal Gonzalez.
“It’s real good, especially for an individual like Carlos,” Gonzalez said. “He wrestled the last three years and put in the time. I’m proud for him to represent the school in Iowa. It sets the foundation for the next year’s class to follow him.”
“It feels great to be wanted,” Posas said. “They wanted me for who I am, not just the stats.”
Posas, who will major in exercise science to become a physical education teacher, found out about Central College because an assistant coach is from there.
“It’s very small and their wrestling team is a family,” Posas said. “The classes are small so there is more one-on-one time.”
Although destined to wrestle in college heading into his senior year, Posas suffered a dislocated elbow midway through the season and sat out most of the rest of the year.
“I felt great and felt I could place in state in my senior year,” Posas said. “I made it to every finals, except for three. I was feeling really confident. I wanted to place in state. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. It was an early round match at the California Invitational Tournament. I knew it was dislocated or broken. There were a lot of worries, but my coaches were telling me to do the best for me.”
However, Posas put in the work to rehabilitate his elbow and wrestled his way to a County/Metro Athletic Conference championship at 106 pounds.
“I wasn’t up to par and close to healing,” he said. “I decided I wasn’t going to wrestle at Valley because I didn’t want to hurt myself any more.”
However, with so much time and dedication in the sport, Posas was still unsure whether he wanted to wrestle in college.
“I was debating on wrestling in college or just going to college,” he said. “I didn’t want to have any regrets. I just love the sport of wrestling.”
Posas waited until early June to commit to Central College, however there were other colleges that were looking at him until the injury.
“There was another school, Coe College, but when he didn’t qualify for state, they passed off,” Gonzalez said. “Central College signed him and picked him up. It was a chain of events. They took a chance on him and see his potential.”
“I wanted to go to the campus, but I didn’t have any time,” Posas said.
Gonzalez is excited for Posas and his opportunity, especially when Gonzalez will a senior-heavy come November.
“Carlos led by example,” Gonzalez said. “He led by his commitment to the program and dedication to the sport. It shows that anything is possible, especially with 8-10 seniors. All of these kids have a potential to wrestle at the next level. Now, they see this and now they know they can do it. It falls on their hands and they have to do the job.”
For Posas, it was a goal fulfilled.
“I always wanted to go to an Iowa school for wrestling,” he said. “That was my dream since the sixth grade. I’m excited for the adventure.”
Posas’ parents are also supportive and wants him to enjoy the college life.
“My parents are very supportive and want me to have an adventure to have a life of my own,” he said. “I’m going to have to adapt to the weather over there because it’s hot here.”
