Escarcega To Continue Wrestling Career In Jamestown
Poplar High School senior Navarjo Escarcega is excited that he will be continuing his wrestling career after his high school days.
Escarcega signed his letter of intent on Wednesday, Nov. 13, to wrestle at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota.
“I felt like it was the right fit for me,” Escarcega said. “It’s a great coach, a great facility.”
He is undecided on his major. He is thinking about a career in physical education/ coaching or health education.
Coaching appeals to the Poplar High School standout.
“I just love the sport and want to help others get better and succeed,” Escarcega said.
He placed third at the state meet as a sophomore and second as a junior at 138 pounds.
“Navarjo is an outstanding wrestler because of his attitude and his heart,” Poplar Coach Jason Frederick said.
Escarcega earned All-American honors at the AAU Junior Olympics held in West Des Moines, Iowa, in the summer of 2023.
He feels that his success can be traced to practicing hard and doing extra things such as watching film. “I push myself to the limit.”
He started wrestling when he was only 3 or 4 years with the Wolf Point AAU Club.
“I actually was winning tournaments when I first started. I stuck with it,” he said. “I kept going to practices every day.”
He thanks his mother, Ashley Iwen, for taking him back and forth to practices when he was younger.
Another key family member is his sister, two-time state champion Angelina Escarcega. She started wrestling in the fifth grade.
“She plays one of the biggest parts,” Navarjo said. “She was naturally good. She kicked my butt for a while.”
The brother and sister are each others’ biggest fans. He said Angelina is still deciding which college to attend for wrestling.
“He likes to compete with his sister,” Frederick said. “They improve each other.”
Navarjo also appreciates the support from Tasha Fourstar.
“She always brings me up,” Navajro explained.
He is excited to start practice on Thursday, Nov. 21, as he starts the hunt for a state championship.
“I’m ready to get back out there and finish the job,” he said.
