Photo by Andrew Brown ’18 – Mr. Wayne Catan speaks to the wrestling team before practice. The team has a new coach and mindset as the season approaches.

By Graham Armknecht ’18
THE ROUNDUP

As the weather cools, the wrestling team is warming up for a new season.

After former coach Mr. Jose Leyba ‘94 moved to Washington with his family at the end of last year, Mr. Wayne Catan came to Brophy to fill the position.

A veteran in the field of wrestling, Mr. Catan takes over the wrestling program.

Highlights in his past before Brophy include winning titles with Syracuse University and coaching multiple NCAA champs, including Steve Marco, the Olympic Heavyweight champion at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Mr. Catan said he decided to make the move from coaching wrestling for a school in New Jersey to coaching for Brophy to give the team new leadership, and to help student athletes achieve their dreams.

“[One new thing I do regarding coaching] is bringing a philosophy where everybody is capable of something,” Mr. Catan said. “Once a student athlete can come to terms with it that, the sky’s the limit.”

However, thatcan be difficult at times. Luckily, that’s one of Mr. Catan’s favorite things about the job.

“I like to see student athletes develop,” Mr. Catan said. “I also like helping students understand that it’s OK to dream. Dream big. Somebody has to win a state title, why not have it be you?”

Brophy wasn’t able to get the state title last year, but with Mr. Catan helping to coach, that should change very soon.

“[Catan] has been around the block. He started as a kid, took it with him through high school and college, and became an alternate in the Olympics,” said Gabriel de la Rocha ’18. “I feel comfortable with what he’s showing us because he knows that it works. His ethic is different and he’s a great person. I think he’ll bring a lot of state champs out. “

Brophy’s wrestling record last season was 11 and 4.

The wrestling season started Nov. 2.