Athletes at all levels of competition work hard in order to be their best but also work to continue improving their skills. Jose Cruz is a multisport athlete at Daniel Webster High School and he says that if you are not willing to put in the work, you will not reach your full potential. But you also have to be careful who you surround yourself with.

“In order to be successful in sports, it has taken a lot of hard work,” he said. “You also have to surround yourself with people that want to work hard and are just as dedicated as you are.”

Cruz is a senior and is a member of the wrestling, soccer, and track teams. In previous years, he has also played basketball and football for the Warriors.

When he puts on the Webster uniform and steps out to compete, Jose is proud to be a reflection of his school.

“It means a lot to represent my school and community,” he stated. “My school has a great history of very talented wrestlers and for me to be a part of such a program really means a lot.”

Like most athletes, Cruz has suffered some defeats, but he says that when he loses a match, it motivates him to continue to work and get better. And he has seen that motivation work firsthand.

“I went up against a wrestler from Hilldale and he beat me when I was a sophomore,” he recalled. “But I kept working hard and when I wrestled him again my junior year. This time, I pinned him. It was a really good feeling to get that redemption.”

While he has put in a lot of work in order, Jose has had some people that have helped him by being influential in his life.

“Some of the biggest influences in my life are Jordan Burroughs, David Carr, and Gable Stevenson,” Cruz said. “A teacher that has had the biggest impact on my life is Ms. Davis. She is the band teacher and she gives me a lot of knowledge not just about the band but about life.”