There is a lot that is required in order to be successful at whatever you are doing. It is not something that just happens overnight. But as Malachi Reyes knows, you have to be willing to put in the time and effort.
“It takes hard work, dedication, and a lot of discipline to be the best that you can be,” he said.
Reyes is a senior at Altus High School where he is a member of the wrestling team. He has also helped with the youth wrestling club and he is an office aide.
Malachi has had people that he has looked up to and have helped shape him into the person he is today. He has a couple that have had the biggest impact.
“Someone that I look up to as a role model is Islam Makhachev,” he said. “He is a Russian mixed martial artist. He is a great fighter and he practices what he preaches. Also, my coach Keilan Torres. He pushes me everyday to be better than I was yesterday.”
Malachi puts in the work, but he also knows that his teammates have helped him become better.
“I think the teammate I enjoy practicing against the most is Cameron Emerson,” Reyes said. “He is super scrappy and we push each other pretty hard. Samuel Arrington is one of the more underrated guys on our squad. He pushes his teammates and is a pretty hard worker and uplifts his teammates.”
Being able to represent his school and community when he wrestles is something that Reyes is proud to be able to do.
“It means a lot to me that the schools and staff do a lot for us student athletes to compete in all sports,” he said.
He knows that in order to be able to compete, not only does he have to practice and be ready physically, but he also has to keep his grades at a level to be able to stay eligible. Malachi says that making sure you get the assignment done is key.
“Doing all of your work ahead of time and while you are in class is important,” he said. “That way, you don’t have any homework.”
