For Aliso Niguel High School senior Garen Keshishian, wrestling isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life. As one of the three team captains, Keshishian has played a crucial role in leading the Wolverines to their first-ever CIF finals appearance, a milestone in school history.
“The team has had a really great season. We are in the CIF finals tonight,” said the Aliso Niguel wrestling coach, “We are competing for CIF finals and have 11 guys going to CIF individual competitions.”
Keshishian’s relentless work ethic has set him apart. He started wrestling as a freshman with no prior experience but quickly dedicated himself to mastering the sport.
“Just his drive—he started as a freshman, having never wrestled before, and I think he practiced wrestling seven days a week, eight days a week if he could,” the coach said, “He’s one of the only kids I know that’s put in the work of seven days a week for the last three years on wrestling.”
That dedication has paid off. Now a senior, Keshishian helps push his teammates to be their best, both on and off the mat.
“Garen’s a hard worker. He helps the team by being one of the three captains,” the coach said, “He’s always out there pushing the kids to do better, and he works with everybody at different levels.”
The road to CIF finals hasn’t been easy. The team has faced challenges, including injuries, as they battled through a long and grueling season.
“The biggest challenge we’ve faced is avoiding injuries and getting through injuries—everybody’s a little hurt,” the coach said, “I was just talking with Garen about his injury that’s going on, and trying to figure out how to get him through it.”
Despite the physical toll, Keshishian and his teammates have remained committed to their ultimate goal: making history.
“First goal is tonight, winning CIF championships. Winning CIF would be huge—never done it in school history,” the coach said, “This is the first time we’ve made it to CIF finals.”
With the biggest match of their season ahead, the team is focused and prepared.
“Before big matches, we get them in the room, get them through a pretty tough practice so we can make sure they can get on weight and the right weight classes ahead of time,” the coach explained, “Then we do a lot of mental prep, just get them in there and get them ready to go, so they’re mentally ready to compete at their best.”
For younger wrestlers hoping to follow in Keshishian’s footsteps, the key is simple: put in the time.
“Spring, summer—all the wrestling in the off-season is really gonna be critical to really growing as a wrestler,” the coach advised.
As Keshishian wraps up his high school wrestling career, his legacy of hard work and leadership will leave a lasting impact on Aliso Niguel’s wrestling program. And as the Wolverines step onto the mat for the CIF finals, they do so knowing they have one of their strongest leaders pushing them toward victory.
