Athlete of the Week: Jensen Beach wrestler Gian Ortiz reflects on terrific senior season

Congratulations to the latest TCPalm Athlete of the Week winner for the 2023-24 school year: Gian Ortiz from the Jensen Beach wrestling team.

The Falcons' senior leaper garnered 40.46% of the vote in the Treasure Coast Newspapers' online poll held after the Feb. 12-17 playing period. Each winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind TCPalm Prepzone Athlete of the Week shirt provided by BSN SPORTS.

The Athlete of the Week poll is proudly sponsored by Mulligan's Beach House Bar & Grill.

Ortiz claimed first place at the 120-pound weight class to help the Falcons take first overall at the District 13-1A meet. He pinned Gumaro Martinez III in 3 minutes, 35 seconds. Ortiz would go on to win his weight class at regionals and take a career-best second at state, aiding Jensen Beach to a fifth-place state finish.

Latest AOTW winner: FPC's Alana Veal is one of the area's best in Track and Field

Latest AOTW winner: LPA's Olivia Titherington raised her game during her sophomore season

Learn more about the senior on and off the field after he spoke with sports reporter Patrick Bernadeau. The interview was conducted on March 26. Check back online later for future winners and to vote in the next TCPalm Athlete of the Week poll.

Q and A with Jensen Beach senior Gian Ortiz

TCPalm: So the season has been over for about three weeks now. Has it felt weird to not worry about practice or going to meets?

Ortiz: “Yeah, it kind of sucks. It didn’t end how I wanted it to, but it did end on a pretty good note as a finalist.”

TCPalm: Yeah, it was your career-best effort to be a state runner-up. All in all, how would you describe your past season?

Ortiz: “I think it was an uphill climb, but it was a great season for me. I only lost two matches in Florida. I was healthy. I couldn't ask for a better season.”

TCPalm: You were pretty emotional standing on the podium at state. What did that moment represent for you?

Ortiz: “It shows my hard work these four years I've put into the sport for high school, especially this year, which is a big jump for me. This year, I felt like I was a better wrestler in taking second. For me, it shows that I was mentally tougher than last year. That's what it shows for me, it shows growth.”

TCPalm: “You’ve had individual success on a team that’s currently the standard in the area after winning multiple championships. What does it mean to you to be a part of this legacy?

Ortiz: “It means a lot to be a part of the first state championship in Jensen Beach wrestling history. That team was great. I can’t ask to be coached by a better coaching staff and be a part of a better team. It means a lot to be part of the team and its legacy where my name will always be on that board.”

TCPalm: What do you think has been the key to this team’s success over the years?

Ortiz: Consistency, coach puts consistency and discipline into us. He has a lot of integrity. It’s just about staying consistent, working hard, being true to yourself. If you’re slacking, know you're slacking and fix it. Coach is very good at that, putting that into us, and then to us to make the best men and wrestlers that we could be.”

TCPalm: How do you get ready for a match?

Ortiz: “I try to think of nothing. I try to think of nothing, but wrestling.”

TCPalm: “Who is a wrestler that brings you up a level when you face him?

Ortiz: “My partner Sebastian (Degennaro). Joining with him made me so much better than I ever thought I could be. He made me take that jump that I really needed. I thank him so much. He is on another level that hopefully I get to one day, but he helped me a lot, he pushed me and beat me up and made me better.”

TCPalm: Speaking of teammates, which teammate is the funniest teammate?

Ortiz: “Probably Sebastian.”

TCPalm: Which teammate has the most swag?

Ortiz: “I feel like none of us has swag (laughs). I’ll say I have the most swag.”

TCPalm: Who is the toughest teammate?

Ortiz: “Probably Mikel Pierce-Walker.”

TCPalm: Finally, a few questions that have nothing to do with wrestling. If you had one thing to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ortiz: “Chicken Marsala.”

TCPalm: What’s on your music playlist?

Ortiz: “A lot of Kanye, Chris Brown. My wrestling playlist is all country.”

TCPalm: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Ortiz: “Teleportation.”

TCPalm: Lastly, you are just a few months away from graduation. How does it feel to be so close to finishing high school?

Ortiz: “Actually, it feels nice. It feels like I can open up a new chapter in my life and possibly wrestle in college.”

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Athlete of the Week: Jensen Beach wrestler Gian Ortiz reflects on terrific senior season