Ares Duarte Honors His Cousin’s Legacy

By Bill X. Barron

The Greek god of war, Ares, embodied courage amid conflict.

“When I first met Ares Duarte, his wrestling was relentless – potent and intimidating. He immediately caught my attention,” cites Max Oldenburg, Savage House Wrestling Coach. 

“Even at a young age, he competed with a fierce intensity and had a commanding presence on the mat.

“As I got to know him, I saw a different side. He’s youthful, playful, and enjoys the process, but he's also fiercely competitive when wrestling. That balance is crucial for a young athlete.”

Ares first tried soccer and basketball, but at age six, when his older cousin, Isaac “Zay” Morales, returned to his alma mater, Northview High School, to coach the California Grapplers, he discovered a passion for wrestling.

Not long after Ares began attending his first practices, Zay tragically died from pneumonia, with unknown contributing factors. He was only 19 years old and had just completed a successful high school wrestling career. 

Despite his short life, Zay left behind a lasting legacy – one that continues to inspire Ares every day to work harder and pursue excellence on and off the mat.

His cousin’s influence is evident in how Ares lives each day. “As a teammate, Ares is supportive and hardworking,” Max notes. “He easily makes friends and competes in a way that uplifts those around him.”

“Within his family, he's a big brother who looks out for his younger siblings. It’s clear he respects his parents, which shapes his approach to wrestling and his growth as an athlete.”

Following the year he trained with Savage House, Ares reconnected with the California Grapplers in 2025.

“I’ve worn different singlets for various teams, but the singlet with ‘LLZAY’ across the chest, which stands for ‘Long Live Zay’, constantly reminds me that my cousin is always with me,” relates Ares.

“Even though my time with him in the wrestling room was brief, I saw his love and passion for the sport. I carry that with me every time I step onto the mat, and I know he’s with me whenever I compete.”

After winning the WOW Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in January 2025, 8-year-old Ares was ranked No. 1 nationally.

Then, a week before the 2025 California state championship, Ares fractured his tibia and fibula. Another wrestler, horsing around between practices, caused the injury.

“That moment defined my path. I knew I had to work hard to get back on the mat. I refused to let the injury keep me down. Even in a wheelchair, I stayed as active as possible and kept working toward my return,” says Ares.

His physical therapist, Chase Everwine, was immediately impressed by his focus and self-discipline. 

“When I met Ares, I had no idea about what he had already accomplished. In my work, I treat many professional and elite youth athletes across sports. Without hesitation, I can say Ares stands out – not only for his athleticism, but because of his grit.

“His drive and determination to overcome challenges are truly admirable. He has an incredibly strong mindset, and I genuinely enjoy pushing him to expand his limits in the weight room. He is strong, motivated, and consistently puts forth his best effort during every session.”

As soon as possible, Ares resumed his morning calisthenics, starting with 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 squats. Every morning, he pushed himself through a grueling routine. 

Reflecting on this period, he said, "What fueled me was knowing I would return stronger, both physically and mentally. Over time, I came to see the injury as part of my journey.

“Coach Collin Hayes has greatly influenced my career. He and Zay were close friends, so having him in my corner feels like family.

“Even when I wrestled for other teams, if Collin was at the tournament, he always coached me. That care showed he genuinely wanted me to develop as a wrestler.” 

California Grapplers has fostered Ares's development as an athlete through training with partners of various ages and weights in a top-quality environment that challenges him daily, guided by multiple coaches with decades of experience. 

“At just 9 years old, he has already become a captain and leader, inspiring others both through his voice and by example. Ares consistently pushes himself and his peers to excel,” relates Coach Hayes. 

Coach Hector Delgado of Beat the Streets has also been a significant mentor. As a South El Monte city council member, he runs a free community wrestling program. 

“I always know those doors are open for me, and for this reason, I proudly compete in the Beat the Streets event every year,” Ares proudly states.

In school, Ares loves to draw and paint, but he believes that wrestling, above all, helped him develop the character that earned him Student of the Year honors for three consecutive years. 

Collin explains that, rather than identifying a specific moment that shaped Ares, it was his consistent daily effort that built his character.

Ares knowingly reveals: “Wrestling taught me that when life gets tough, you keep pushing forward. That mindset helps me on the mat and in the classroom.”

Competitively, Ares looks forward to RMN Events “for the chance to challenge myself in new brackets and age groups. The events are well-run, and the awards are the best.”

Prior to his broken leg, during his time in 7U and 8U, he won Outstanding Wrestler at four RMN tournaments, including the 2024 Freak Show.

In the past six months, Ares has earned three additional RMN Outstanding Wrestler plaques, including two bracket wins in the 9U division at the Freak Show in October 2025. 

A significant milestone in Ares’ career occurred when he first won the RMN Freakshow in 2023 at age seven. It marked his initial major championship victory, where he had to rally from a points deficit in the finals to secure victory. 

I've always believed in Ares' potential for greatness, but that moment truly became a defining point in his career,” cites Coach Hayes.

Coach Max shares: “Many of Ares’ breakthroughs occurred during practice. Over time, he grasped and executed the Savage House system, both technically and mentally.

“Our room is highly competitive. Growth happens on tough days for those who embrace the process. Ares thrived on this grind, pushing himself and others. We value athletes who improve themselves and contribute to our culture.”

A student of the sport, Ares follows three current OSU wrestlers. He studies Ronnie Ramirez for his creative misdirection. Ronnie attacks one side, then targets the other. A two-time California state champion and a one-time runner-up, Ronnie was 9-2 as a freshman at 133 pounds for the Cowboys.

He admires OSU junior Troy Spratley’s perseverance, relentlessly attacking until he succeeds. At 125 pounds, Troy was a 2025 NCAA finalist and finished fifth in 2026.

Ares also studies Jax Forrest, a two-time Pennsylvania state champion known for “funk” wrestling, which enables him to scramble and score from tight situations. As a second-semester 133-lb. OSU freshman Jax went undefeated in capturing the 2026 NCAA title.

“Wrestling has taught me to keep showing up and to give my best every day. After my injury, I used it as motivation to return stronger.”

By pushing himself to his limits at every practice without allowing himself to mentally break, Ares maintains a razor-sharp competitive edge.

“Many matches I recall were decided by heart, conditioning, and willpower, with Ares emerging victorious due to the principles we consistently emphasize in our training,” Collin proudly relates. 

Wise beyond his years, Ares shares: “I have learned that wrestling teaches resilience and discipline. In the California Grapplers room, we often say, ‘We don’t break; we break people.’ That’s my mindset for every match and challenge I face in life.

“I am Ares Duarte – the Greek God of War.”