Wrestlers for Palisades Charter High School took to the mat Friday with heavy hearts after learning their coach, Randy Aguirre, died Thursday following a battle with cancer.
Aguirre, 30, helped launch the school’s wrestling program 4 years ago.
“Last year we took city. I’m so proud of him, he’s touched a lot of young men’s lives,” Aguirre’s father, James Aguirre said.
The team chose to compete in a tournament at Tustin High School Friday to honor his memory.
“This is our first tournament without Randy being here,” said junior wrestler Kevin Rosen. “We really just want to prove that we can do it as a team, that he taught us well, and that we can carry on without him,” Rosen said.
Randy Aguirre died following a battle with Gliobastoma, a grade IV brain tumor, but now his team and family want his legacy to live on.
“He showed me when you really want something you have to work for it… it’s not given to you,” senior wrestler Kenny Jones said.
The tournament at Tustin High School was expected to continue through Saturday.
