Cody Thorn
Samara Chavez spent part of her summer coaching and part of it wrestling.
The graduate from James Martin High School in Arlington is about her start her third season wrestling for King University in Bristol, Tennessee this winter.
However, she competed in the U.S. Open and earned a spot on the U.S. Senior National Team after her time competing for Team Tornado Wrestling Club. She secured that spot with a pin in a true third match at the 53kg weight class in June.
Then, her focus shifted to helping Team Texas prepare for the Fargo Nationals last month in Fargo, North Dakota.
She was a three-time All-American for Texas at the event and spent time on the staff of head coach Lindsey Spjut.
Chavez heads to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for the Senior National Team on Aug. 20.
“I just kind of like it because I know where I’m at,” she said. “So I know that I can be capable more. If I happen to get there (Worlds), I will be more than grateful. Right now, I’m just having fun with and if I get there, I get there, if not, it is a fun ride.”
If she makes the traveling team, she will hold to Belgrade, Serbia for the Senior World Championships held Sept. 16-24.
Chavez is already an accomplished college wrestler with a 49-8 record in her first two seasons. She’s 15-7 against nationally-ranked opponents and was an NCWWC national runner-up this past season. In her freshman year, she took third place at the NCWWC National Championship.
She’s been ranked as high as no. 2 in the NWCA Coaches Rankings. In high school, at one time, she was the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the county in her weight class.
