Coach Timothy Box was brought into the Palomar College Wrestling program by former coach Brody Barrios. He started helping with the lightweight and middleweight weight classes and eventually became more and more invested each season.
“I took a whole year off from wrestling and then accepted the head coaching position just before the season in 2021,” said Box.
The importance of being a good mentor is at the top of his list when talking about what he wants to do as the head coach. “My favorite thing about coaching at Palomar is having the opportunity to help these men and women strive to be the best versions of themselves on and off the mat. I know first-hand how a good mentor can impact a person and provide lessons that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. I care about each and every one of my wrestlers and want to see them succeed in life—well after they’ve finished wrestling.” Box replied.
The ultimate goal for Box is to bring Palomar Wrestling back to its former glory. He wants to bring state champions and all-Americans home at the end of the season. The wrestling program is currently sitting at 7 State championships. Palomar has many notable wrestlers that have passed through the program. One is Jesse Taylor who won the California state championship in 2004 and later made a name for himself in the MMA circuit.
Box also wants to introduce a women’s wrestling program to the community and “ensure it provides an opportunity for women to wrestle in college in this area long after I’m done coaching,” he stated.
“Wrestling is an individual sport at first glance, but it is very much a team sport by nature. This sport is extremely hard to do alone, but having a group of athletes with the same goals, vision, expectations, and accountability level always produces the best results,” explained Box.
Box wants championships and wins for his athletes, but more importantly, he wants to send them away from Palomar as better people.
“I want my athletes to leave Palomar with a championship mindset. And when I say this, it has nothing to do with what place they get at the state tournament. Champions step up and embody the best versions of themselves daily; they have mental toughness, self-belief, resilience, work ethic, accountability, trustworthiness, foresight, discipline, etc. If my guys never win a single match but gain this attitude, I still have to consider it a success. But it’s nice if they also win some matches!” said Box.
Wrestlers on the team also think that the wrestling program has taken a turn in the right direction.
“Palomar wrestling is on the rise. With the coaches we have, I see a bright future for our team. Coach Tim has been doing an amazing job inspiring me and the rest of the team to do our bests and chase after our goals. 1% better every day.” said men’s captain Daniel Hernandez.
Hernandez has been at Palomar for two years and wrestles at 174 pounds. He started wrestling as a way to get into shape but fell in love with it because of the competition.
“My favorite thing about wrestling is just competing. The adrenaline and drive it gives me is like no other and winning of course feels awesome,” stated Hernandez.
Box has begun to build a program that endorses hard work and family. Hernandez said that being a student wrestler is tough but being able to go to practice and travel to meets with his team and coaching staff makes it all worth it in the end.
When Hernandez was asked what one word describes the Palomar wrestling team he said “Dawgs”.
That looks like it perfectly describes what this team is about. This seems to be a team that is willing to put in the hard work and help build each other up.
Hernandez gave a great quote that wraps up what to expect from this program for years to come.
“Being a part of the team has definitely been a great addition to my life.
We’re a big family that just wants to get better with one of the best coaches in the country.”
