'Changing Lives Through Wrestling' In Mission Viejo: Local Hero

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Stephen Kroesen who nominated Jose Pedraza of Mission Viejo.

Local hero’s full name

Jose Pedraza

Local hero’s home state

California

Local hero’s Patch

Mission Viejo

How do you know the local hero?

Head coach El Toro High School Wrestling

What does the local hero do?

Father, Works Full-time, Head Coach.

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

Coach Pedraza has made it his life goal to change the lives of children through wrestling.

He has built an empire with the No. 1 girls team (currently) in Orange County. He essentially has started with nothing and recruiting solely from the P.E. Line up and has made life altering change to the lives of girls and boys for the past 6 years with little to no recognition.

He dedicates his heart and solely to not only his children but the children of our community as well making them well rounded individuals ready to go out into the world and make an impact after high school. There’s so much more to his story he’s an amazing individual.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

He’s kind, selfless, a wonderful father and incredible mentor

Thank you for all you do, James Counts!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know someone making a difference in town?

Nominate them here.