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Michael Lee

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Cibola wrestler Michael Lee's goal of a state title was cut short last year by a case of pneumonia. Lee, a junior who wrestles in the 130-pound class for the Cougars, hopes to stay healthy so he can become state champion, like his father who won twin crowns in New York.

Trib: What is the best part of your day?

Lee: Wrestling practice. I just love wrestling. It's been on my mind a lot.

Trib: Is there a move you hate to be put in?

Lee: A cradle. It's just hard to get out of. They have you by your head and legs and on your back.

Trib: What move do you love to do?

Lee: Ankle picking. It's good for me. It works a lot. It's kind of unexpected.

Trib: The holiday season always comes with a lot of junk food. Is that hard to avoid?

Lee: Yeah, it's hard. I just try not to pay attention to it. I just think about wrestling.

Trib: How much does your diet change during the season?

Lee: Not much. I just eat less of what I usually do. I try to stay away from junk food and sodas.

Trib: Is there one thing you eat a lot of?

Lee: Salad.

Trib: What do you pig out on after the season is over?

Lee: I don't. I go into freestyle wrestling right after that. Freestyle just has different rules, they allow more holds.

Trib: What got you into wrestling?

Lee: My friends. I used to play football. Some of (my friends) were in (wrestling), and they wanted me to try it. So, I did.

Trib: Did your dad ever push you toward it?

Lee: No. But he was happy when I told him I joined.

Trib: What was your first impression of wrestling?

Lee: At first, I thought it was so hard. I didn't think I'd be good at it. But in the middle of my freshman season I started to love it. That's why I quit football.

Trib: Why do you love it?

Lee: It's just you out there. When the match is over, you see who's best.

Trib: What's the worst part?

Lee: The conditioning. We do a lot of sprints and a lot of running.

Trib: What's in your closet?

Lee: My closet? Uh, just clothes and my backpack.

Trib: Fill in the blank. Some day I want to . . .

Lee: Be a state champion.

Trib: What scares you?

Lee: Death.

Trib: Is that it?

Lee: Yeah, there really is nothing else.

Trib: Would you rather become a rich and famous pro wrestler or win an Olympic gold medal wrestling?

Lee: Olympic gold medal. It just feels better to me than to be just a fake wrestler.