Athlete of the week

Noland Ange doesn’t walk around wrapped in yellow caution tape. That would be weird.

But there’s a non-specious argument to be made that he should. Lest any misguided soul be tempted to wrestle him and suffer the consequences.

Ange, a nearly 18-year-old (his birthday is on Wednesday) senior matriculating at Calipatria High, is a relatively recent addition to the Valley sport-scape.

He appeared on the scene just shy of a year ago when he relocated with his family from Wisconsin, of all places.

Against all odds he’s actually found the drastic change in climate agrees with him. He “got used to” the summer heat waves without too much difficulty and prefers “visiting snow” to “living in it 24/7.”

And the nascent Calipatria wrestling program is thrilled to have him.

Last weekend, Ange — who typically wrestles at 160 pounds — represented the school at the large (21 schools) Battle by the Beach Tournament out San Diego way.

His opponents probably wish he would’ve stayed in the Midwest.

He defeated all four of them handily, pinning each to claim firstplace honors in his weight class.

Ange considered the whole affair to be light work, allowing a hint of bravado to enter his voice as he said, “It didn’t last very long. No [match] went past the first period.”

Confident in his abilities, Ange has his sights set beyond sectionals, anticipating state-level competition before the season’s out.

My favorites What do you enjoy most about your sport? What is one of the best memories you’ve had competing? Who inspires you and why? What are your goals for the rest of the season?