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Spartan Leads Team Into Battle

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

RIVERVIEW - During his freshman year at Riverview High School, Rafael Rivera participated in a conditioning program for the upcoming season.

There was one problem: He was preparing for the wrong sport.

"I was getting in shape because I wanted to play basketball," Rivera said. "Then I found out about wrestling, and I really got into that instead."

He wrestled for Riverview for one season before transferring to Spoto. Rivera did not wrestle during his sophomore year, as he got settled in his new school.

Now a junior, he was named captain during his first season as a member of the Spartans' varsity wrestling team.

"He's a very focused student-athlete in the truest sense of that word," said James Marohnic, assistant coach. "He demonstrates the perfect balance between his athletic and academic achievements."

Rivera, 16, is also a student assistant in Spoto's technology department and is interested in pursuing a career in engineering.

Born in Hartford, Conn., Rivera moved to Cleveland when he was a few months old and moved to Riverview about three years ago.

Although wrestling may not have been his original passion when it comes to sports, he has taken to it.

"I love it because it's a tough, one-on-one sport," said Rivera, who wrestles in the 189-pound weight class. "I'd love to continue wrestling once I go to college."

Until then, Rivera is content to help lead his fellow Spartans into battle.

"Making sure that everyone on the team is in check, and making sure that I'm taking care of everything I have to, is not something I mind at all," he said. "My school work, the team - it's not really too difficult.

"It's all part of my responsibility."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Rafael Rivera

AGE: 16

SCHOOL: Spoto High School

GRADE: 11th

SPORT: Wrestling

PLANS: Wants to study engineering

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or

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