Student Athlete of the Week – Troy Mantanona
The Mantanona name is synonymous with wrestling success in our valley. Troy Mantanona is the next in line.
“Me and my older brother started off doing it, our dad was our coach we would work out in our garage we had mats in our garage,” said Troy Mantanona.
Troy’s older brother Anthony was a CIF finalist at Palm Desert high school and now wrestles at the D1 level for Oklahoma. His dad is his high school head coach.
“It’s been a great experience, this is my first year coaching him in high school, my first year coaching him I’m really glad i got the experience,” said Troy’s father Anthony.
Troy recently signed with San Francisco State University, where he will continue to grapple and study.
“It was cool to see them reach and still show interest in me and I really looked up to the coach so that helped a lot and then as soon as I took my visit it was just everything was coolIi liked everyone on the team,” said Mantanona.
“So many opportunities with wrestling, travel the country for tournaments and being on national travel teams, just so many opportunities from wrestling its been awesome.”
Troy wrestling was encouraged by his family but he really grew to love the sport and wanted to pursue his passion.”
“Beginning I was a kid i didn’t really care, it was whatever to me. I didn’t love it I didn’t hate it. I think when I got into high school and I started to see that hard work reward comes with it and just being with your friends and we all had the same goals.”
“Its what they wanted, they got it on their own, we gave them the path and they took it.”
When Troy isn’t wrestling or studying, he enjoys a “reel” hobby.
“I really like to go fishing or eat a lot of food because I don’t get to do that very much during the season. So when season is over and I get to do what I want. I usually eat or I’m going fishing with my brothers.”
