Dan Cardenas CO: Live, Learn, & Grow
Dan Cardenas CO: Live for the Journey, Not the Destination
By Bill X. Barron
If you were to climb every fourteen-thousand footer in Colorado, fifty-two snow-capped summits await your ascent. But to those who live in these mountains, the summit is in the climb.
You climb for the challenge, yet any wisdom one acquires is tempered in humility by the experience of many false summits. Ultimately, whatever height you gain must be relinquished, for you must descend in order to reach a new mountaintop.
For Daniel Cardenas, the nation’s top 152-pounder, now in his senior year at Pomona High School near Denver, Colorado, “a loss is not really a loss, because that is how you grow. Losses ground you. They make you redouble your work ethic. My focus is on preparing for the next opponent, not on my record.”
Asserts Dan’s mom Adrina: “Wrestling has made us better parents. We have conditioned our kids to do this for themselves, to choose what they want from every experience. In time, they will figure out their own way to win. It is only when we step back that our kids really begin to grow.”
Coach and dad shares this perspective: “You may know where you are at, but it’s easy to forget what got you there. Soon enough, life and wrestling humble you. Stay true to yourself, to the people you surround yourself with, and to God. What you don’t know, wrestling will teach you.”
Pomona’s top-25 nationally ranked squad is 23% Cardenas, with brothers Mark (11th grade, ranked 4th at 113 lbs.) and Geno (10th, top-ranked at 106) on the state’s top 5A team aiming for its fourth consecutive state title.
If Pomona repeats and Daniel captures his fourth high school championship (120, 138, 145, 152), Cardenas will become only the state’s second 8-timer: winning 4 individual titles along with 4 team titles. Jake Snider (125, 140, 140, 145) and Ponderosa first performed this feat in 2007-2010.
In addition, if Cardenas earns his 4th high school podium, he would be Pomona’s first 4-timer and Colorado’s fourth 7-time school champ, after winning the RMN-sponsored State Middle School Championships in 6th, 7th, & 8th grade.
In fact, 2022 would be Daniel’s 13th consecutive state title, beginning with the 6-&-under 45-pound bracket at the Colorado Youth State Championships.
Yet Daniel is most proud that he has remained humble. “It’s been preached to me my whole life, so it’s second nature to allow my actions to speak for me.”
Dad echoes this theme in his own life. “Our kids surpass us in knowledge and ability. Not too long ago, my teachings came full circle. I was going through a rough patch, and I was stuck until my son reminded me that ‘life is like a wrestling match.’ At 42 years old, I realized that all life lessons come back to us.”
Young Daniel first began to traverse the country chasing after RMN Triple Crowns (championships in multiple states) and similar creative awards geared to incentivize higher goals. Yet he is most appreciative that “RMN attracted national-caliber competition to local events, which raised the bar for every Colorado wrestler.”
Adrina adds: “RMN promoted wrestling in such an inviting way that we all caught the bug. They made it enjoyable for kids. I kid that wrestling raised our family, but it’s true. The sport has certainly done a lot more good for us and other families than words could ever explain.”
Both dad and son agree that RMN’s spotlight final matches have prepared him to excel in elite championship competition. “Middle School State began with a call out,” remembers Daniel, “then a walk into the arena accompanied by a significant person. We competed on a raised stage with Ed (Gutierrez) announcing as master of ceremonies.”
Despite the success of his sons, Dan has managed to set his own ego apart from their accomplishments. “We had to find a balance between wrestling and family. Parents: even when you see a spark or shimmer from your son or daughter, don’t forget why you got into this sport.
“This sport teaches us lessons (my word for wins and losses). Stay grounded in the moment. Keep it fun. With the right company, consistent practice, and through trial and error both wrestling and life come into focus. What’s most important is that your kid ends up being a good person.”
As Daniel relates, “wrestling has shaped me into the person I am today.” When Blair Academy contacted the Cardenas family in 9th grade, it was ultimately Daniel’s decision. “I chose to stay home so I could share my high school experience with family, friends, and my hometown team. It was the right choice.”
Just the same, Daniel is heading to academically elite Stanford, whose collegiate wrestling team has quickly rebounded from near extinction to a highly competitive and rapidly evolving program under the tutelage of new coach Rob Koll, who also built a consistent top-ten NCAA program at Ivy League’s Cornell.
With a recruiting class that includes Connecticut’s Nico Provo (NHSCA and National Prep Champion), Ohio’s Wyatt Richter (St. Edwards), and Missouri’s Jack Darrah (USA National Folkstyle Champion), “Stanford is signing kids I’d love to be around. I look forward to calling them my brothers!” exclaims Daniel.
As Pomona sets its sights on a fourth consecutive state crown, Daniel reminisces that “our coaches have all been give and give and give. Coach Sam (Federico) has always made sure to provide us with competition level that makes us better.
“He got us The Shop, our own club and team gym. I can call Coach Kelly (Flaherty) any time for private lessons. And Ben VomBaur (Bear Cave) tutors me on how to beat the best without changing my style.”
Though every tournament brings those looking to knock off Cardenas, he learned a long time ago to focus on the next opponent, not a name on the bracket.
To continue performing at an elite level, Daniel knows “I have to work hard all the time. I don’t let up or allow them back in the match by scoring easy points. In time, I break each opponent mentally before destroying them physically.”
“The boys have guided us on where we want to be,” concludes the family center Adrina. “With God providing the way, we have managed to stay humble as a family. We remind them that every achievement only moves the bar higher. And that no bar gets set until the initial expectations have been met.”
Mom reminds Daniel that he’s on a journey, in the event he might remain too long at any one destination. “We’ve all learned a lot more from each of our losses than from any of our successes.” Adds Dad: “Wrestling teaches us what we need to know in order to live our lives fully.”
As his son reminded him, Dan believes that “life is a wrestling match. It begins with getting the first takedown. Nothing is ever handed to you. But wrestlers have the character to work through tough times and come out all the better for the adversity. Train hard and you will win life’s battles on and off the mat.”
“Thank God for allowing these genuine human beings to be my parents,” Daniel reflects. “They have been selfless in making sacrifices. Yet someone once said: ‘It’s not sacrifice if you strive for something you truly want.’ My parents only wanted us to be the best part of ourselves. For that lesson, I am ever thankful.”