By Brenda De La Cruz
Alex Zia-Lopez, 23, attended Mark Keppel High school and had no prior experience in wrestling before joining East Los Angeles College.
She decided to try out wrestling after former ELAC wrestling Coach Valle convinced her.
Her favorite thing is the support she gets on campus. She feels the sport has taught her discipline.
Zia-Lopez feels training with men is different due to the difference in strength and weight.
However, she feels they are patient with their female counterparts and help them improve in areas needed.
She is excited ELAC is recognizing women wrestling as an official sport, but also feels nervous because this will be her first time wrestling competitively.
Despite her nerves she is a competitive person Zia-Lopez was a water polo athlete for two years at ELAC.
She plans to transfer to CSU Long Beach and major in photography or studio arts.