A former Douglas High School wrestler is taking his skills to Iowa.

Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch Former Douglas High School wrestler Edward Noriega, shown above taking one of his many opponents to the mat, will be leaving town later this month to enroll at North Iowa Area Community College located in Mason City, IA. Noriega has been offered a spot on the school’s wrestling team.

Edward Noriega, 19, son of Eddie and Liz Noriega and a 2009 Douglas High School graduate, has announced he will be leaving Douglas later this month to enroll at North Iowa Area Community College located in Mason City, IA.

Noriega has been a big part of the Douglas High School wrestling program all four years he was in high school. He says he actually started wrestling as a young child in the junior high meets.

North Iowa Area Community College currently has two other Arizona athletes on their roster one of those Emilio Gonzalez has family in Douglas and is from the Herford area.

“This is one of the top conferences for junior college wrestling,” Noriega said. “Last year they finished in the top 15 (out of 42 teams) at nationals.”

Noriega has been off the mat for over a year but says he has been conditioning with some of the current DHS wrestlers and coaches including head coach Richard Ross.

“I’ve been weight lifting and working out,” he said. “I think I’ll be okay.”

Noriega says he’s excited for the opportunity given to him and is anxious to get up there and get on the mat.

Coach Ross said what Noriega is doing sends a message to other DHS wrestlers that they too, can go on.

“There are programs in different states,” he said. “I told Edward to go; take this opportunity and learn. Who knows where he can go from there. �- Later on down the line Edward can come back if he chooses to and maybe assist me. �-. This is a great opportunity for Edward; it’s a great opportunity for our wrestling program at Douglas High School.”

Coach Ross said Noriega has always had a lot of heart and that plus keeping your mind focused will help you have success.

“I think he’ll do well,” the coach said. “Because he has a lot of heart.”

Noriega will study secondary education while up in Iowa hoping to one day wind up in the coaching fraternity.

Noriega’s season begins Oct. 30 with the Kaye Young Open in Mason City. Then he’ll have 11 other meets ending on Feb. 3. There will be a regional meet Feb. 13 followed by the NJCAA National Meet Feb. 25-26.

The former DHS wrestler says he won’t know until closer to the season if he will redshirt this year or not. He says he plans on wrestling at either 197-pounds or 184. In high school he wrestled at 215.

Noriega says his parents have been real supportive and encouraging throughout this whole process.

Coach Ross said he wanted to thank Edward and his parents for allowing him to coach their son the last four years.

“I wish him lots of luck and hope he can come back and mentor our kids in the future,” the coach said.