December 18, 2012 7:30 pm ? David P. Funk Times Correspondent(0) Comments
The Times top 10 wrestling poll
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MERRILLVILLE | Adam Garcia knows where he gets his fighting spirit from.
The Merrillville wrestler's grandfather, Toribio Garza, defined the word "fighter."
Garza had bone cancer at 18 and lost a leg. At different points during his life, he struggled through open-heart surgery and a collapsed lung, but always made it through.
Garza died recently but Garcia carries his grandfather's will with him each time he's on the mat.
"I'm a physical wrestler, always attacking," the 120-pound senior said. "I just grew up that way. It's been my style since I was a little kid."
It's been effective, for sure.
Garcia is No. 1 in the state in his weight class in the Panko Strength and Speed rankings. The Pirates are No. 2, as a team, in the Indianamat.com power rankings
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/wrestling/merrillville-s-garcia-in-pursuit-of-a-state-wrestling-championship/article_5bf41bd7-4be4-5f63-9f1a-4028d5145f72.html