Ayala wrestling鈥檚 Jeshua Hennerty is a rising star
CHINO HILLS, Calif. — In the heart of Chino Hills, the echoes of cheers and the thrill of competition come to life on the wrestling mat, where a young athlete is quickly making a name for himself. Meet Jeshua Hennerty, or as his friends and teammates call him, Jesh. At 18 years old, this senior is a standout in the 165-pound weight class. Jeshua鈥檚 journey through sports is a tale of physical prowess and a testament to mental fortitude, dedication, and the invaluable support of family and mentors.
Jeshua’s introduction to wrestling began with a nudge from his father.
“My dad pushed me to join this sport. He wanted me to become more mentally and physically tough. He believed if I could succeed in wrestling, I could succeed in anything,” Jeshua recalled.
His father鈥檚 belief in the transformative power of wrestling has indeed proven true, as Jeshua has not only thrived on the mat but also carried those lessons into other aspects of his life.
Wrestling, unlike many team sports, is a one-on-one battle where the outcome rests solely on the individual. Jeshua competes in the 165-pound weight class, where his primary objective is to defeat his opponent by pinning them, achieving a technical fall, or accumulating more points by the end of the match. This individual aspect of wrestling is something Jeshua deeply appreciates.
“What I love about wrestling, compared to the other sports I play, is that it鈥檚 a 1 V 1 competition: just me and the guy standing in front of me. If I win, it鈥檚 because of me; if I lose, it鈥檚 because of me. I鈥檓 responsible for the outcome,” he explained.
Wrestling is known for its demanding nature, both physically and mentally.
“To be honest, I don鈥檛 think anyone really loves wrestling,” Jeshua candidly admitted. “It beats you down physically and drains you mentally. There鈥檚 a lot that goes into it. You have no free time during the season, a restricted diet, and you鈥檙e sore every day. The only thing wrestlers love are their coaches, teammates, and the three seconds of glory when the ref holds up your hand at the end of the match.”
Despite the grueling nature of the sport, Jeshua’s dedication has led him to significant achievements. He is a two-time Palomares League 160/165 Weight Champion, has received the Coaches Award, and is recognized as a Scholar-Athlete. He has also placed in various tournaments, showcasing his talent and hard work.
Jeshua is quick to acknowledge the impact of the Ayala Smash Wrestling program and its coaches on his development as an athlete and individual.
“I would like to give a big thank you to Ayala Smash Wrestling, the Chino Hills Youth Wrestling Program. Aside from my family, they have helped shape me the most and helped me become a scholar-athlete, a student leader, and an overall confident person. Thank you to Coach Edgar, Coach Grant, and Coach Matt! I wouldn鈥檛 be who I am today without all of you.”
Jeshua鈥檚 athletic talents are not confined to the wrestling mat. He鈥檚 been playing sports in Chino Hills for the last 10 years. He鈥檚 had fun playing AYSO soccer, Canyon Hills Little League, and Chino Hills Bulldogs football throughout his youth. He has also played football and baseball all through high school, a testament to his versatility and dedication.
“I compete in three sports, so I do not have an off-season; I鈥檓 always training for something. On top of that, I lift weights in my home gym,” he says.
This constant state of training and competition keeps him in peak physical condition year-round.
Looking ahead, Jeshua has clear goals for his wrestling career.
“My goal is to qualify for Masters, and hopefully State,” he stated.
The idea of wrestling at the collegiate level also excites him, and he hopes to earn a scholarship to further his education while continuing to compete. Schools like Cal Poly Pomona, San Diego State, Stanford, UCLA, and USC are on his radar.
Academically, Jeshua is still exploring his interests but is leaning towards fields that combine his love for math and helping others, such as engineering or sports medicine. His grandfather, an engineer, has been a significant influence in keeping math a central part of his life.
One of the biggest challenges in wrestling, according to Jeshua, is the mental aspect.
“My body is already drained; now how do I keep my mind from giving up? As far as how I manage it, I trust in my training and and repeat positive affirmations. Believe it and you can achieve it.鈥� he shared.
This mental toughness is something he continuously works on, drawing strength from his family, coaches, and teammates.
Jeshua鈥檚 father has been a source of wisdom and encouragement.
“My dad always told me not to compare myself to anyone else and to aim to be the best version of me. Also, to never give up. It鈥檚 hard to beat somebody who never gives up,” Jeshua reflected.
This advice has become a guiding principle in his life, encapsulated in his motto: “No excuses; just get it done.”
When he鈥檚 not training or competing, Jeshua enjoys running a T-shirt company with his dad at forevermonday.com. They describe it as a streetwear brand for those who feel like they don鈥檛 belong. He also likes playing video games and spending time with his unique assortment of pets, including an English Bulldog, a bunch of fish, 2 ball pythons, 1 king snake, 2 crested geckos, a tarantula, and a sulcata tortoise.
Jeshua鈥檚 favorite subject in school is math, a passion fostered by his grandfather. His family, including his dad, Mikael, his mom, Nikoo, a teacher in Chino Hills, and his younger brother Elisha, are his biggest supporters.
“There鈥檚 not a single person that inspires me, it鈥檚 more like people, the ones who care about me: my coaches, teammates, and family,” he said.
As Jeshua Hennerty continues to excel in wrestling and balance his commitments in football and baseball, he remains grounded and focused on his goals. With his eyes set on future achievements, Jeshua is a name to watch in the world of high school sports, embodying the spirit of a true athlete.
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