Iowa City West's Justin Avila looks to win wrestling state title, build on family legacy

Each time Justin Avila takes the mat for Iowa City West, he kneels down, has a quiet moment and then gets ready for the bout. It’s a special tradition for him in the sport of wrestling, a sport that runs deep in the Avila family tree.

Avila's older siblings, Robert and Jannell Avila, were state champions in high school, and now, Justin is looking to write his own chapter in the family history book.

"If I were to win a state title, it would be very special to me, not just for obvious reasons but for me proving to myself that I can do it," Justin, a junior for the Trojans, said. "Being the third kid in my family to win state would be pretty cool too."

Justin Avila found wrestling at an early age

Justin Avila was introduced to wrestling at around 6 years old, a time when he watched his older brother, Robert, compete.

It ignited his love for the sport.

“I’ve always been around [wrestling] my whole life,” Justin said. “I’ve looked up to my brother [Robert] since I was little so that’s how I started getting into it a little bit.”

When his family moved from Nevada to Lisbon, Iowa, he got more serious in his pursuit for wrestling greatness. Due in part because of the sport's popularity across the state.

He started to win big tournaments, including an AAU state title as part of the Eastern Iowa Wrestling Club in March 2020. He also became exposed to high-level wrestling, thanks to Robert and Jannell.

"The wrestling environment from high school and middle school didn't change that much because I was always around my brother and sister practicing with their high school team my sixth, seventh and eighth-grade year," Justin said.

The energy carried over when he followed his siblings to Iowa City.

Justin has thrived since arriving at West, making back-to-back appearances at the IHSAA state wrestling tournament, earning fourth place in 2022.

"He's in a family that values hard work, dedication, and competing to the best of their ability," said West head coach Nate Moore said. "If there is pressure, it's healthy."

Moore said he is a quiet leader who cares about his teammates and leads by example. He added that the junior is an "entertaining," "funky," and "explosive" wrestler.

"Justin's work ethic has always been top-notch," Moore said. "He's dangerous, can put a guy on their back at any time from any position."

Justin Avila finds inspiration from his older siblings

Avila said his older siblings serve as role models who provide various forms of support, each unique in their own way.

Robert, a University of Virginia wrestler, was a three-time Iowa State champion while Jannell, a Baker University wrestler, is a one-time state champion.

"I think there's different traits they both have that help me and I look up to," Justin said. "My brother, it's more tough love so I get the constructive criticism from him and then I get the loving, caringness from my sister so it bounces out and it works perfectly."

Family is everything for Justin. They all share one common goal: to support one another.

"We're a team, it's family against the world," Justin said. "I have two little sisters and my one younger brother that I try to be there for, like my older siblings are for me."

When asked about what wrestling meant for him, Justin candidly admitted that he doesn't have all of the answers.

But one thing is for sure, and that's his desire to etch his name into Iowa state wrestling history.

“I’m going for it all.”

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Justin Avila eyes a state wrestling title for Iowa City West