CVHS Newcomer Leads Wrestling Team

Name: Ryan Sepulveda 

Age: 17 

School: Centreville High School 

Accomplishment: Student athlete was the only wrestler on his high school team to advance to the Virginia AAA State Wrestling Tournament this season. 

Key to Awesomeness: Junior Ryan Sepulveda may have been new to Centreville High School this past September, but that didn’t stop him from making an immediate impact on the Wildcat community.  

In the 160 pound weight class Sepulveda, 17, recently placed second at Districts, third at Regions, and was the only wrestler on the team to qualify for States.  

Sepulveda was inspired by his father, a former high school wrestler, to begin playing the sport and has been wrestling competitively since 7th grade. Prior to joining the CVHS team he wrestled for Battlefield High School in nearby Haymarket, Virginia. 

Though this was his first season competing for Centreville, Sepulveda served as Team Captain. He admits the honor was “a big surprise coming to a new school,” but Head Coach John Belyea recognized Ryan’s potential to lead early on. “I showed the coach in the offseason that I was a good leader,” Sepulveda said.  

Sepulveda has enjoyed his role as Captain. “They [his teammates] look up to you, how you wrestle, how you perform, and how you act outside of wrestling,” he said. “I feel like I do the job well.” 

His combination of perseverance, motivation, and confidence also contributes to his athletic success. “I show heart. I don’t quit. I give it 100 percent all the time,” Sepulveda said. 

Ryan’s mother, Sheryl Lorenz, said of her son, “He doesn’t get intimidated...he believes in himself. He never ever gives up or walks away from anything; he will play to the end.” 

Sepulveda is also a skilled football player; he played Varsity at both Battlefield and Centreville High Schools. Still, his passion lies more with wrestling. 

Sepulveda understands the importance of teamwork, but also thrives on the independence wrestling offers. “I like that feeling of not having to rely on anyone else,” he said of individual competition, “It’s just you.” 

Despite his demanding sports schedule, Sepulveda remains dedicated to his schoolwork. “Academics are really important,” he said, “Without that you can’t go anywhere after high school. I try to excel in all subjects.” 

And he does. Sepulveda boasts a 3.5 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. He hopes to earn an athletic scholarship for either wrestling or football and compete at the collegiate level.