ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Tyler Montes

The West Orange High junior recently competed at the Poinciana Invitational and won in his weight class.

By Danielle Hendrix
| 2:38 p.m. February 10, 2016

Sports

Sixteen-year-old Tyler Montes, a junior at West Orange High, competed at the Poinciana Invitational and placed first in his weight class Jan. 30. A hardworking student both on the mat and in academics, Montes outworks his opponents, said West Orange wrestling coach Kristen Iannuzzi.

Tell me about winning the Poinciana Invitational and what that means for you now.

It’s pretty much the first tournament that I got first place in, and now I’m hungry for more. I just want to win every tournament that I go in.

How did you get started wrestling?

I started freshman year and came for football. One of my friends talked me into it, saying it was something we could do together during high school. So I said, ‘All right,’ and I’ve stayed with it.

What do you enjoy most about wrestling?

Knowing my hard work gets put toward an accomplishment. Once I win and I get my hand raised, that’s just the best feeling in the world to me.

How do you balance school and full-time wrestling?

It’s hard, but I want to be something in life, and that’s just what I have to do. … I’m going to be the first one in my immediate family to go to college, so I want to be that person to do something for my (family) name, and that’s what makes me strive to be better.

What’s a song or artist you’ve been listening to lately?

J. Cole, because I can relate to his songs and what he sings about. I also like to listen to Eminem before a match because it pumps me up.

If you could have your dream meal, what would it be?

Probably steak and anything with mashed potatoes on the side!

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

I always watch “Remember the Titans,” because it’s one of my favorite movies in general. It’s inspiring and a good football movie, too. I love it so much.

What is your dream job and why?

I play video games, and all the time, my friends and I talk about being able to create games because whenever we play them we think about how much better it would be if we could insert something. I guess I’d be a game designer or creator, something like that.