Sunday, November 15, 2020 Phone: 661-395-7391 • Email: [email protected]

D1 Sports NFL Week 10 highlighted by Seahawks and Rams THE ASSOCIATED PRESS It’s pretty much impossible to argue that the NFC West isn’t the league’s best division, even with the fading 49ers plagued by injuries. Two of its powers face off Sunday when the first-place Se- ahawks visit the runner-up Rams. These teams have been a bit schizo- phrenic in 2020. Seattle (6-2) can out- score most opponents, and it needs to weekly because it has the worst pass defense in the league, giving up 362.1 yards per game. Three quarterbacks have thrown for more than 400 yards against Seattle this season. “We just have to keep coming to- gether and get this thing really cleaned up,” coach Pete Carroll says. “Unfortunately, the continuity has not been a positive factor for us yet. Hope- fully we can find a way to fit together and get our new guys in there and get them playing really well and error-free, to their nature, and utilize their talents COURTESY OF PAUL GARCIA and all that, and we’ll see a turn. Liberty wrestling coach Paul Garcia, far right, with his family (from left), wife Daphne, daughter Sophia, son Sonny and daughter “This is the halfway point and this is Sierra. a marker. I would really like to see us turn it. You’ve seen us already adjust some in how we’re doing calls and stuff. We’re just trying to fit it together to maximize our guys.” While the Rams (5-3) have been solid on defense, with tackle Aaron Donald the A REWARDING JOURNEY NFL’s most dominant player on that side of the ball, their offense has been incon- Homeless as a child, Liberty’s members of a notorious local motorcycle same way other adults did in his. The pri- sistent. They are 21st in the NFL with 24.1 gang at his house. Pornography on the TV. mary conduit to accomplish that is with points per game — only Chicago has a Garcia has devoted life to mentoring Drugs and other paraphernalia on tables. the sport of wrestling and a strong belief in winning record and scores less often. others as a wrestling coach Addicted to drugs, his mother struggled to God. The two passions have worked hand- Regardless, this is a top-drawer provide any sort of stability. and-hand, helping push him away from matchup. his early demons, while providing a light BY RON STAPP “I saw things by the time I was in fourth “We love these opportunities,” says [email protected] grade that probably a lot of high school for others he comes in contact with. Rams coach Sean McVay. Prior to coming to Liberty, he was varsity Although he was born on Christmas Day kids today don’t see,” said Garcia. “You “These are great competitive op- head coach at Stockdale and Bakersfield in 1968, Paul Garcia’s childhood was far name it, when I was a little kid, I saw it. portunities, but every single game is Christian, with stints as an assistant at from a holiday. One person thought it was funny to rub like this. Because you play them twice Ventura, Visalia-Redwood and West. He Homeless and with little direction cocaine on my gums and another gave me a year, we have some more familiarity also actively competes as part of the adult during most of his formative years, the cookies that had marijuana in them. Just with just some of their schemes, be- wrestling Team Fluffy Wrestling and is in- new Liberty wrestling coach and his things like that you’re around. I see people cause they have had some continuity volved in just about every aspect of wres- younger brother Jason were surrounded by doing that and selling things. It’s a lifestyle at the coordinator spots on offense and tling in Kern County. excess as their mother Charlene grappled for them.” defense. And they’re still doing a lot of But one thing is for certain, Garcia didn’t with drug addiction and bad choices. He was also exposed to criminal behav- similar stuff, special teams-wise, even do it alone. Trapped and often left alone for long ior. While still a toddler, Garcia remembers though there’s been some changes. At virtually every turn in his life, he has periods of time in a tent or their mother’s being lifted through an open window by his “It’s been great games and we’re look- had someone in his corner. From his un- car, the brothers’ lives could have gone in a mother’s boyfriend so that he could unlock ing forward to another one.” cle, who sheltered Garcia and his brother, myriad of directions, and few, if any, had a the door for him. After Garcia complied, The action began with Indianapolis to his faith in God, fostered by a few positive outcome. the boyfriend proceeded to steal a TV. moving into a tie with Tennessee atop the chance encounters with Christian groups But somehow, following a series of for- “I can joke about it now, but I tell every- AFC South with a 34-17 victory Thurs- at the Ventura County Fair as a youngster. tuitous circumstances and the introduc- one I committed my first crime when I was day night featuring a blocked punt for And perhaps most importantly, his intro- tion of several key figures in his life, the 5, I just didn’t get caught,” said Garcia, who a touchdown. The Colts outscored the duction to wrestling and legendary Ven- 51-year-old Garcia has overcome his early has been a high school wrestling coach for Titans 21-0 in the second half. Both teams tura High School coach Paul Clementi. challenges, giving the now married father most of the last 33 years. are 6-3, with Indy currently holding the “He’s turned out to be a major success of four a direction and purpose. division tiebreaker thanks to the win. story,” Clementi said. “He wasn’t the great- Looking back now, it’s hard to imagine FIGHTING THE ODDS Off this week are Dallas (2-7), Atlanta est wrestler, but it doesn’t matter. When how Garcia got to this point. How did he According to Center on Fam- (3-6), Kansas City (8-1) and the New you coach, sure you want a state champ break the cycle? The answer is compli- ily Homelessness, 2.5 million children are York Jets (0-9). and a championship program and every- cated, one that was years in the making. homeless each year in America, accounting BILLS (7-2) AT CARDINALS (5-3) for one in 30 in the United States. A recent thing else, but I think at the end of the day. A ROUGH START study interviewed runaway and homeless I’ve told him many times, if I can help one Arizona’s top-ranked offense is av- or two kids along the way and they can Garcia’s challenges started even before youth in 11 U.S. cities and found that nearly eraging 422 total yards and has had at pass it on to one or two kids, then kids can he was born when his father refused to 44 percent had stayed in a jail, prison, or least 400 yards six times. It’s defense has pass it on. That’s what it’s all about. And claim him. He and his mother, and later juvenile detention center, nearly 78 percent been filled with holes, though. Paul has definitely passed it on.” his younger brother, bounced from house have had at least one interaction with the Arizona’s Kyler Murray and Buffalo’s Josh Allen are the only two quarter- to apartment, and eventually wound up police and nearly 62 percent had been ar- UNCLE KEVIN SAVES THE DAY homeless, sleeping in coastal campsites in rested at some point in their lives. backs who have thrown for at least 15 One day, Garcia remembers his mother Ventura and Carpinteria or in the backseat But Garcia refused to be a statistic. He touchdowns and run for at least five never came home. of his mother’s car. has devoted most of his life to making an touchdowns this season. During this time, he recalled seeing impact on the lives of young people, the Please see GARCIA | D2 Please see NFL | D2

GOLF Johnson seizes control at the Masters THE ASSOCIATED PRESS of the 18th green to 5 feet and holed that Both bogeyed the 18th hole. Thomas AUGUSTA, Ga. — Even without specta- for a par to cap off another bogey-free shot 71, Rahm had a 72. tors in November, the Masters promised to round and reach 16-under 200. That ties Starting times for the final round have deliver more drama with 10 players sepa- the record set by Jordan Spieth in 2015, been moved up to finish by 3 p.m. so CBS rated by a single shot going into a weekend when he went on to a four-shot victory can honor its NFL contract, and it will be filled with possibilities. over Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson. threesomes off both tees. And just like all And then Dustin Johnson turned it into Not all the players chasing Johnson are as week, and all year, there will be no roars to a one-man show. familiar. Two of them are Masters rookies. add to the pressure. The No. 1 player in the world looked Sungjae Im, the supreme ball-striker Defending champion will every bit the part Saturday, racing away from South Korea who won his first PGA stick around to present the green jacket, from a five-way share of the lead with an Tour title two weeks before the COVID-19 and he’ll have to leave his at Augusta Na- explosive start — 4 under through four pandemic shut down golf in the spring, tional until he returns. holes — and never letting his foot off the birdied the last hole for 68. Abraham Ancer Woods was 4 under through 10 holes to gas until he had a 7-under 65 and matched of Mexico saved par on the 18th for a 69. start the Masters, and he picked up only one the 54-hole Masters record. They were at 12-under 204, along with more shot over the next 44 holes. He fin- More importantly, Johnson had a four- of Australia. ished off a 71 in the second round, had a 72 shot lead. Smith opened with 12 pars before run- in the third round and was 11 shots behind. Today will be the third time Johnson ning off three straight birdies and scram- It likely didn’t help the 44-year-old Woods takes a lead into the final round of a ma- bling his way home to a 69. to go 26 holes on soft turf of a hilly course, jor, along with two other majors where he Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm had their “It’s just part of the deal,” he said. “If you was tied for the lead. His only major was chances only to make untimely mistakes. have long days like this, I’m going to get a the 2016 U.S. Open when he came from Rahm nearly topped is second shot on the little bit sore, which I definitely am.” behind. Most recently, he had a one-shot par-5 eighth and hit his next one off a tree and U.S. Open champion Bryson DeCham- lead at Harding Park in the PGA Champi- into the bushes on his way to a double bogey. beau was more dizzy than sore. He felt so DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP onship this summer, closed with a 68 and Thomas sailed his second shot over the odd on Thursday night that he had an- Dustin Johnson watches his second shot lost to a 64 by Collin Morikawa. 15th green and into the water, making other COVID-19 test to be sure — it came on the 11th hole during the third round of This effort was master class. Johnson bogey on a par 5 where he was hoping to back negative — and the betting favorite of the Masters golf tournament on Saturday used putter from above a slope to the right make up ground. this Masters was in the middle of the pack. in Augusta, Ga. D2 The Bakersfield Californian Sunday, November 15, 2020

SPORTS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP SPORTSSUNDAY TELEVISION TODAY No. 2 Notre Dame rolls past BC 45-31 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS remain unbeaten. Kevon Slovis hit Erik Krommen- COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOSTON — Ian Book threw three Penix threw two interceptions in hoek on a 6-yard touchdown, but Ari- California at UCLA. FS1, 9 a.m. touchdown passes and ran for a score the first half, but that didn’t matter zona marched quickly down the field and No. 2 Notre Dame overcame an much. The Spartans (1-3, 1-3) were for a 6-yard touchdown pass from COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S) early deficit to roll to a 45-31 victory just as sloppy — to the point where Grant Gunnell from Stanley Berryhill ACC Tournament: Florida State vs. North Carolina, Cham- over Boston College on Saturday. quarterback Rocky Lombardi was III with 1:20 left. Slovis completed pionship, Cary, N.C., ESPNU, 9 a.m. The Fighting Irish gave coach pulled in the second quarter. four straight passes for 68 yards and Brian Kelly his 100th career victory Malepeai capped the 75-yard drive COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S) at the school, tying him with Lou NO. 11 OREGON 43, WASHINGTON ST 29 by carrying several Arizona defenders Louisiana State at Alabama, ESPNU, 11 a.m. Holtz for second place — five behind PULLMAN, Wash. — Tyler Shough with him into the end zone. Knute Rockne. Notre Dame has won threw for 312 yards and four touch- FIGURE SKATING eight straight in the series between downs and No. 11 Oregon came back NO. 22 LIBERTY 58, W CAROLINA 14 ISU: The Las Vegas Invitational, Las Vegas (taped), NBC, the FBS’s only Catholic institutions to beat Washington State. LYNCHBURG, Va. — Malik Willis 1 p.m. threw for 306 yards and three touch- NO. 6 FLORIDA 63, ARKANSAS 35 NO. 13 WISCONSIN 49, MICHIGAN 11 downs and ran for two more scores, GOLF GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Kyle Trask ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Nakia Wat- leading Liberty over Western Carolina. extended his school record for con- son and Mason Stokke each scored PGA Tour: The Masters, Final Round, Augusta National NO. 23 NORTHWESTERN 27 PURDUE 20 Golf Club, Augusta, Ga., CBS, 7 a.m. secutive games with at least four two touchdowns in the first half, touchdown passes to six and Florida helping No. 13 Wisconsin build a big WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Peyton HORSE RACING overwhelmed Arkansas in the Swamp. lead in a rout of Michigan Ramsey threw for 212 yards and NYRA: America’s Day at the Races, FS1, 9 a.m. Trask threw for 356 yards and six three touchdowns, all to Ramaud scores against the Razorbacks, who NO. 16 MARSHALL 42, MID TENN 14 Chiaokhiao-Bowman, and North- NFL were without coach Sam Pittman HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Redshirt western beat Purdue. and without much of a chance by freshman Grant Wells threw a sea- Buccaneers at Panthers, FOX, 10 a.m. halftime. It was the second time son-high five touchdown passes and NO. 25 LA-LAFAYETTE 38, S ALABAMA 10 Chargers at Dolphins, CBS, 1 p.m. this season Trask tossed six TDs in a Marshall commemorated the 50th LAFAYETTE, La. — Levi Lewis Seahawks at Rams, FOX, 1:25 p.m. game. He’s the only player in school anniversary of the worst disaster in passed for 252 yards and three touch- Ravens at Patriots, NBC, 5:20 p.m. history to accomplish that feat. U.S. sports history during a victory downs, Louisiana-Lafayette gained over Middle Tennessee. 254 yards on the ground and the Ragin’ RODEO NO. 9 MIAMI 25, VIRGINIA TECH 24 Cajuns wrapped up a third straight Sun TULSA 28, NO. 19 SMU 24 PBR: Unleash the Beast Tour, World Finals, Arlington, BLACKSBURG, Va. — D’Eriq King Belt Conference West Division title. Texas, CBSSN, 2:30 p.m. threw for 255 yards and a touchdown TULSA, Okla. — Zach Smith threw and ran for a score in Miami’s come- for 325 yards and three touchdowns FRESNO ST 35, UTAH ST 16 SOCCER (MEN’S) back victory over Virginia Tech. to help Tulsa recover from a 21-point LOGAN, Utah — Jake Haener and The Hurricanes overcame an second quarter deficit and upset No. Jalen Cropper enjoyed career days and UEFA Nations League: England at Belgium, ESPN, 11:30 a.m. 11-point, third-quarter deficit to win 19 SMU. Fresno State beat winless Utah State. SWIMMING their fourth consecutive game. Haener had thrown three touch- NO. 20 USC 34, ARIZONA 30 down passes, including a 71-yarder ISL: Semifinal, Duna Arena, Budapest Hungary, CBSSN, 9 a.m. NO. 10 INDIANA 24, MICHIGAN ST 0 TUCSON, Ariz. — Vavae Malepeai to Josh Kelly, by halftime for a 28-16 The Toyota U.S. Open (taped), NBC, noon EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michael bulled his way through multiple lead. He finished 29 of 38 with career Penix Jr. threw for 320 yards, hitting tacklers for an 8-yard touchdown run highs of 422 yards and four touch- TENNIS Ty Fryfogle with two scoring passes, with 25 seconds left, and No. 20 USC downs. Cropper had a career-high ATP World Tour Finals: Doubles Round Robin, TENNIS, and Indiana beat Michigan State to beat Arizona with another late rally. 202 yards receiving with three scores. 10 a.m. ATP World Tour Finals: Singles Round Robin, TENNIS, noon BENGALS (2-5-1) AT STEELERS (8-0) 2020, when road teams have an over- NFL The Steelers have dominated the all winning record — the Raiders are Continued from PAGE D1 series in recent years, winning 10 1-2 at home, but 4-1 away from the Latest line Lee Westwood 68-74-71_213 -3 straight meetings. desert. College Football 68-70-75_213 -3 CHARGERS (2-6) AT DOLPHINS (5-3) FAVORITE TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 70-72-71_213 -3 Cincinnati has no worries about Broncos RB Melvin Gordon has California 3 (55½) at UCLA Bryson DeChambeau 70-74-69_213 -3 Another enticing Kid QB matchup: its young QB. Top overall draft pick scored a touchdown against the Raid- NFL Nick Taylor 72-72-69_213 -3 LA’s Justin Herbert, who went sixth in Joe Burrow’s 221 completions are the ers the past four times he’s faced them. FAVORITE TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Charl Schwartzel 73-71-69_213 -3 at PITTSBURGH 7 (46) Cincinnati the April draft, one spot after Miami’s most by a rookie over the first half of Bernhard Langer 68-73-73_214 -2 at DETROIT 3 (46) Washington Tua Tagovailoa. a season. JAGUARS (1-7) AT PACKERS (6-2) at CLEVELAND 4 (45½) Houston Si Woo Kim 70-71-73_214 -2 at GREEN BAY 13½ (47½) Jacksonville Collin Morikawa 70-74-70_214 -2 Herbert has thrown for 10 touch- The Packers, who lead the league Philadelphia 4 (44½) at NY GIANTS Mike Weir 71-72-71_214 -2 downs and only three interceptions 49ERS (4-5) AT SAINTS (6-2) in ball control (33:19 time of posses- Tampa Bay 6½ (50½) at CAROLINA Shugo Imahira 72-70-72_214 -2 in three road starts and has multiple New Orleans has won five straight sion average) are 6-2 after going 7-1 at LAS VEGAS 3½ (50½) Denver at ARIZONA 3 (56) Buffalo Ian Poulter 72-71-71_214 -2 touchdown passes and more than and leads the NFC South, which it has through their first eight games last at LA RAMS 2½ (54½) Seattle a-Andy Ogletree 73-70-71_214 -2 250 yards in his past five games. won each of the past three seasons. year. It’s the first time the Packers at NEW ORLEANS 10 (49) San Francisco Bubba Watson 74-69-71_214 -2 Baltimore 7 (43½) at N ENGLAND Jazz Janewattananond 69-71-75_215 -1 Tagovailoa has won both of Saints receiver Emmanuel Sanders have started 6-2 or better in back-to- at MIAMI 1½ (48½) LA Chargers Tony Finau 69-75-71_215 -1 his starts since replacing Ryan helped the 49ers get to the Super Bowl back seasons since 2001-02. MONDAY Minnesota 3 (43) at CHICAGO Rickie Fowler 70-70-75_215 -1 Fitzpatrick. last season, and had seven catches Jacksonville started rookies at Charles Howell III 71-70-74_215 -1 for 157 yards and a touchdown, plus quarterback (Jake Luton), running Golf Chez Reavie 71-72-72_215 -1 RAVENS (6-2) AT PATRIOTS (3-5) Par Scores throwing a 35-yard TD pass against back (James Robinson) and receiver Sung Kang 75-69-71_215 -1 The Ravens, who have never won New Orleans. Sanders had his third (Laviska Shenault Jr.) in a loss to Saturday at Augusta National Golf Club, a-John Augenstein 69-72-75_216 E Augusta, Ga. Christiaan Bezuidenhout 69-73-74_216 E a regular-season game in Gillette TD receiving last week after missing Houston. Jacksonville is the only NFL Yardage: 7,475; Par: 72 THIRD ROUND Victor Perez 70-71-76_217 +1 Stadium, have won 10 straight road the Saints’ previous two games on the team to do that this season. Dustin Johnson 65-70-65_200 -16 Zach Johnson 73-71-73_217 +1 games, the longest active streak in COVID-19 reserve list. Sungjae Im 66-70-68_204 -12 Jordan Spieth 74-70-73_217 +1 the NFL. Baltimore is allowing a The battered Niners did discover TEXANS (2-6) AT BROWNS (5-3) Cameron Smith 67-68-69_204 -12 Matthew Fitzpatrick 74-70-73_217 +1 league-low 17.8 points per game, has a new playmaker in a loss to Green Folks in Cleveland remember Ro- Abraham Ancer 68-67-69_204 -12 Phil Mickelson 69-70-79_218 +2 Dylan Frittelli 65-73-67_205 -11 forced a turnover in 21 consecutive Bay: Richie James Jr. had three meo Crennel, now Houston’s interim Justin Thomas 66-69-71_206 -10 Rafael Cabrera Bello 73-71-74_218 +2 68-68-71_207 -9 Jimmy Walker 71-73-76_220 +4 games, and has reached 100 yards catches for at least 40 yards in that head coach. He was Cleveland’s Jon Rahm 69-66-72_207 -9 Brandt Snedeker 71-71-79_221 +5 rushing in 31 straight outings the game, the first player since Tyreek coach from 2005-08 and guided the Sebastian Munoz 70-68-69_207 -9 Bernd Wiesberger 71-72-78_221 +5 third-longest streak in NFL history. Hill in 2017 to do that, and the first Browns to a 10-6 record in 2007. 68-68-72_208 -8 Brooks Koepka 70-69-69_208 -8 NFL 49er since Jerry Rice in 1995. Tommy Fleetwood 71-66-71_208 -8 THURSDAY’S SCORE VIKINGS (3-5) AT BEARS (5-4), MONDAY EAGLES (3-4-1) AT GIANTS (2-7) Rory McIlroy 75-66-67_208 -8 Indianapolis 34, Tennessee 17 The Bears have won four straight BUCCANEERS (6-3) AT PANTHERS (3-6) Philly gets a bit healthy after a Patrick Cantlay 70-66-73_209 -7 TODAY’S GAMES Kevin Na 73-68-69_210 -6 Houston at Cleveland, 10 a.m. over the Vikings, but it’s Minnesota Tampa Bay’s defense is ranked No. 1 bye and has won eight consecutive Paul Casey 65-74-71_210 -6 Jacksonville at Green Bay, 10 a.m. that is on the rise. Running back Dal- against the run, allowing 75.3 yards a games against the Giants, and 12 of Cameron Champ 68-74-68_210 -6 Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. C.T. Pan 70-66-74_210 -6 Tampa Bay at Carolina, 10 a.m. vin Cook has 478 yards and six TDs game. The Bucs also lead the NFL with the previous 13 in the series. The de- Corey Conners 74-65-71_210 -6 Washington at Detroit, 10 a.m. from scrimmage over the past two 16 takeaways and are second with 29 fense seems to be coming around for 67-73-71_211 -5 Buffalo at Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Xander Schauffele 67-73-71_211 -5 Denver at Las Vegas, 1:05 p.m. weeks, both wins. He leads the NFL sacks and 101 quarterback pressures. the Eagles, who lead the NFC East. Tiger Woods 68-71-72_211 -5 L.A. Chargers at Miami, 1:05 p.m. with 858 rushing yards despite miss- That doesn’t bode well for Teddy Scottie Scheffler 71-68-72_211 -5 Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 1:25 p.m. ing a game to a groin injury. Bridgewater as the Panthers try to WASHINGTON (2-6) AT LIONS (3-5) Danny Willett 71-66-74_211 -5 San Francisco at New Orleans, 1:25 p.m. Shane Lowry 74-69-68_211 -5 Seattle at L.A. Rams, 1:25 p.m. Minnesota will need him, consid- snap a four-game slide. Alex Smith’s courageous comeback Matt Wallace 69-73-70_212 -4 Baltimore at New England, 5:20 p.m. ering quarterback Kirk Cousins is 0-3 continues when he makes his first 70-72-70_212 -4 Open: Kansas City, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Dallas DENVER (3-5) AT LAS VEGAS (5-3) Billy Horschel 70-70-72_212 -4 MONDAY’S GAME against the Bears since joining the Vi- NFL start since breaking his right Justin Rose 67-70-76_213 -3 Minnesota at Chicago, 5:15 p.m. kings and 0-9 in Monday night games. Strangely — well, maybe not in tibia and fibula on Nov. 18, 2018.

missing on his bike. into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame point, I didn’t need a dad in the sense of GARCIA “I used to ride it to school,” Garcia said. by the California Chapter in 2012. “He just what dads are to their kids at that point,” Continued from PAGE D1 “I didn’t ride it all the time, but I remember started living, eating, sleeping, wrestling. Garcia said. “I wanted them to be involved balancing it like it was a unicycle with the He was always in the room, basically a gym with my kid’s life as grandparents. I will ac- Although he was only 10 years old, he front forks.” rat, who just hung out. I think I’ve coached knowledge him as my dad, … but I didn’t and his younger brother decided to walk thousands of kids over the years and some want to discuss the circumstances. I just along the train tracks from Carpinteria to WRESTLING PROVIDES A PURPOSE you just get closer to than others.” wanted them to be a part of their lives as Ventura, hoping to find his uncle Kevin With Garcia’s added confidence, Holmes my kids’ grandparents.” Holmes, who lived alone in a duplex about convinced him to try out for the wrestling A GUARDIAN ANGEL Despite growing up without his father, 10 miles away. team as a freshman at Ventura High. Al- With no children of his own, Clementi Garcia said he doesn’t feel any animosity It was dark by the time he got there, and though Garcia said he wasn’t very excited took it upon himself to make sure Garcia toward him. Holmes was not home at the time. The about the prospect, it quickly turned into stayed out of trouble. He didn’t want any- “I am who I am today because of the resourceful Garcia managed to find some almost an obsession, with a passion for the thing to get in his way, and if he saw Garcia things that I had to go through,” Garcia other family friends, who drove them back sport that continues today. straying a bit, his coach was quick to get said. “So I don’t hold anything against him to their mother, who had since returned to “Paul was not a very big guy,” said him back in line. for not being involved. He made his choice the campsite. Holmes, who now is retired and lives in “I really wanted to see him graduate his and it made me go a certain way in life, The following day, when Garcia and his Arizona. “He was maybe 115, 120 pounds senior year,” Clementi said. “He was a typical and it built a character in me … I’d like to brother awoke, their mother was nowhere in and not too tall. But he was very strong and teenager and he was getting into a few things think (I’m) a decent person.” sight. Once again, they made the trek along very athletic, and intensely competitive. So that he probably didn’t need to get into. He’s also reconnected with his mother, the train tracks to their uncle’s house. This when he got to high school age I thought … “So I kind of started keeping an eye on who moved to Tennessee for a period of time, Holmes was home. After discussing well, he’s too small to be in the major sports him, maybe even stalking him sometimes, time and turned her life around, Garcia the situation with his sister, Holmes agreed of basketball, football and baseball. But and just making sure he wasn’t doing any- said. She has since returned to Ventura and to watch the two boys for the summer, and wrestling? That could be what he’s good at.” thing that would jeopardize his wrestling is actively involved as a grandmother. eventually took over full-time custody. Garcia agreed to give the sport a try. A or his chance to graduate. I know at times “She was a single mom, trying to do “After a couple of months of staying with few weeks in, he still wasn’t sold, but grad- he probably resented it … but it was just some stuff in an area that was not a great me during the summer, I got to know them ually things began to turn around. something about Paul I think.” place,” Garcia said. “And she made some and appreciate them as people quite a bit,” “The first couple of weeks were really poor choices. But those poor choices built Holmes said. “And when it came time for rough,” Holmes said. “He’d come home RECONNECTING WITH HIS FATHER me into who I am today. Why am I going them to go back to live with their mom on and immediately fall asleep in the chair. Although Garcia had never met his to say she’s a horrible mom? I don’t think the beach, they didn’t want to. So they asked He was so tired. But after a few weeks, he father, he started feeling the urge to find that. I love her. We go through things for a me if they could stay, and I thought that was loved it, and he loved his coach.” him as he and his wife started their family. reason. Now if somebody beat me up and the best thing for them because they de- That coach, Clementi, turned out to also He wanted to know his health history, and punished me all the time and abused me served better than living on the beach.” be a father figure for Garcia. wondered if he might have other siblings. then I’d say that’s a horrible parent. But it The support provided by Holmes has “I was a skateboarder. I was a surfer, it But most of all, he wanted to make sure wasn’t like that. It was the circumstances.” become a common theme in Garcia’s life. just didn’t appeal to me at all,” said Garcia his children were able to get to know their With much-needed stability, Garcia began to of his introduction to wrestling. “But when grandfather on his side of the family. POSITIVE RESULTS flourish. Around the same time, he started to I went out for it and I started doing OK It took more than two years of tracking Now as he is set to embark on another make friends and was introduced to skate- with it, and my coach encouraged me, tell- on the internet, but Garcia finally found chapter in his life, Garcia is happy to boarding and surfing by a neighbor, Gus ing me, ‘great job.’ his father after first discovering he had a simply have an opportunity to influence Brown. Brown’s influence helped Garcia gain “As a kid I kind of saw it as I actually younger brother, Eddie. others the way others did for him growing an identity for the first time in his life, some- have a talent that I can get rewarded for? I Garcia called his father, who was living up. That really hit home listening to his thing he desperately needed at the time. never had that. I surfed just for fun. I skate- in Albuquerque at the time, and arranged new-found brother eulogize his father at “I didn’t even know who I was,” Garcia boarded just for fun. I wasn’t a competitor to meet in Las Vegas in 1997. Although the his memorial service several years ago. said. “Being homeless and not having for that. This is the first time I was part of two took things slowly, it was the start of a “Hearing him give the eulogy was tough friends, Gus connected me with things something that was giving me some ac- 10-year relationship with his father, who just because you’re like, ‘man, I didn’t go that I didn’t have when I was homeless. He knowledgement of what you’re capable of acted as grandfather to Garcia’s children fish with him, I didn’t go camping with was such an important person to me. We doing.” until he died in 2007. him, I didn’t play soccer and he wasn’t able lost touch a bit when I got in high school, Although it took Garcia a few weeks to At the same time, Garcia never allowed to watch me play soccer or watch me wres- but he meant a lot to me. I mean, before I warm up to the sport, he made an imme- himself to connect with his father as his dad. tle,’” Garcia said. “I don’t think that built met him I was grateful to just have a bike diate impact on Clementi. “I don’t know if a psychologist or anyone resentment, it influenced me or taught me with two wheels.” “I could tell right away that he enjoyed would agree with me on how I handled not to be that way with my own kids and Two wheels on the bicycle wasn’t the is- the competition; he enjoyed being on a that, but I remember sitting with him the kids I coach. I want to be there for them sue for Garcia. It’s the handlebars that were team,” said Clementi, who was inducted and his wife, and telling them that at that the way other people were there for me.”