Meet Jason Betlej. He’s a 24-year old assistant high school wrestling coach. He’s also a Delta College freshman who is captain of the Mustangs wrestling team and on-the-mat competing this semester.
Raised in Manteca, Betlej has been a wrestler for most of his life.
His journey began in the fourth grade with the martial art of Judo, which is a fighting style focused on throwing opponents using leverage and momentum.
During this time, Betlej was introduced to the competitive art of youth wrestling.
“I liked it right away, but it did take a while to get used to the system of wrestling,” Betlej said. “Fourth grade is a pretty late age to start wrestling to be honest. Most kids [began] are wrestling way younger than me.”
Betlej said second-generation wrestlers start as young as age 3.
Betlej went on to attend East Union High School, where the Lancers rivaled Manteca High. During his time there, his team took second place for two consecutive years in the Valley Oak League, just behind Oakdale High School team (also known as the Mustangs), a program notorious for wrestling champions.
“My coach says: wrestling is 25 percent physical, 75 percent mental,” Betlej noted the dedication and drive necessary to be a wrestler.
After Betlej graduated from East Union, he put off college to assist high school coach A.J. Reindel by running drills and exercises with the Lancers.
Now after six years, Betlej is back on the mat as a competitor.
“This year is all about learning and just getting back into the rhythm of wrestling,” Betlej said.
Reindel noted Betlej’s dedication to the sport.
“He graduated and has been an assistant coach with me ever since. He’s usually the first one here, one of the last ones to leave. There’s no getting around his commitment- He says he is going to do something and it’s going to happen, and wrestling is one of those sports you have to be committed to,” said Reindel.
Reindel expressed excitement for Betlej competing with Delta but admits his absence is noticed at East Union. Reindel has coached wrestling since 1992 and later became the Lancers’ head coach in 2006. Reindel became Betlej’s youth wrestling coach when he began in the fourth grade.
Reindel said he has aspirations for Betlej to take up more responsibilities in coaching.
When asked about the workload and schedule for a Mustang wrestler, Betlej noted how much preparation and effort goes into the season.
“Early mornings. Late nights. Wrestling is the longest sport. Get in lanes at 7 [AM], wrestling starts at 9 [AM]. Depends on how they run the tournament. If something happens, let’s say the computers crash, whatever, sometimes you’re not out until like 8 at night,” Betlej said.
The college wrestling season runs September through December, with practice five days a week, matches every Wednesday, and tournaments most Saturdays.
The off season for a competitive wrestler is about staying fit, keeping sharp, and keeping the weight off. Being a young athlete, Betlej said he’s never dealt with injury before, however now that he is getting older, he is currently dealing with a shoulder injury.
He is still coaching and plans to return to assist the Lancers at East Union after the end of the college wrestling season. He is passionate about the sport.
“Wrestling will always be a part of my life. Whether it’s coaching, competing, whatever. I’m always going to be doing something involved in wrestling,” said Betlej.