Buy In! All In! All Golds!

(This article was written by Roel Rodriguez and was featured in the July 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine .) You might not know that there is a new, sanctioned Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school sport that is now occurring here in our backyard. Adding to the various men’s and women’s sports opportunities at Harlingen High School (HHS), the Mighty Cardinal campus now offers high school wrestling. Cardinal Wrestling consists of men’s and women’s varsity and jr. varsity teams. Photo courtesy of Balde Olivarez III In only their third year of existence, the Cardinal wrestling teams have grown in popularity among the student body and now boast a combined number of 50-60 dedicated wrestlers. At the helm is Head Coach Balde Olivarez III, who proudly provided great insight into his dynamic wrestling teams. Coach Olivarez states that Texas UIL wrestling competitions consist of thirteen (13) weight classes ranging from 106 pounds to 285 pounds for men and 100 pounds to 235 pounds for women.  As previously mentioned, the Cardinal wrestling teams are composed of about 25 men’s wrestlers and 25 women’s wrestlers. However, only 13 men and 13 women wrestlers are eligible to compete at each wrestling competition.  Coach Olivarez stated that prior to any of their scheduled wrestling meets, Cardinal teammates can challenge each other to a “wrestle off” for the purpose of earning one of the available 13 weight class spots. Coach Olivarez also noted that women’s high school wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the state of Texas.  Photo courtesy of 1977 Productions The Harlingen Cardinal Wrestling Teams compete at varsity meets primarily, but on occasion, have attended a few dual varsity and jr. varsity meets, allowing all Cardinal team wrestlers to experience competing at a local high school meet. To date, HHS Wrestling has only competed at meets held in the Rio Grande Valley but will be looking for opportunities to compete at meets in Corpus Christi and San Antonio during the 2025-2026 academic year.  Photo courtesy of Balde Olivarez III Although wrestlers train year-round, the Texas UIL wrestling season is held from November to February, culminating with a District Meet and the opportunity to qualify for the 6A Regional and State meets. During the 2024-2025 academic year, Cardinal wrestler Jacob Ortiz qualified for the 6A State Wrestling meet held in Cypress, Texas. Jacob is only the second Cardinal wrestler to qualify for the State Meet in Cardinal Wrestling history. Jacob intends to attend UTRGV in Edinburg and is considering continuing his wrestling career in college.  Other Cardinal men’s wrestlers to keep an eye on for next year are Reynaldo Leal and Liam Payton. The Lady Cardinal’s Team Captain Amanda Rosalez qualified for the 2025 6A State Meet as an alternate. Notable Lady Cardinal wrestlers include Skylar Espinoza who signed a letter of intent to wrestle at McMurray University and sister wrestlers, Madison and Harmony Martinez, who are expected to lead the Lady Cardinal wrestling team during the 2025-2026 season after both qualified for the regional meet last year. Photo courtesy of Andrew Cordero Coach Balde Olivarez, who was recognized as the 2024 Texas High School Coaches Association Region 7 Wrestling Coach of the Year, has his teams firing on all cylinders and looking to continue to make big strides in the future. When asked about a team motto, Coach Olivarez quickly said, “Buy In, All In, All Golds” is what is used to drive the teams. Coach Olivarez states that this motto sets the standard for his teams and that it has truly helped to build a culture and achieve team unity. It helps manifest what the HHS Cardinal Wrestling teams are trying to achieve not only on the mat but in life.