Sunnyside Class of 1985 standout wrestler Sam Portillo, who went on to compete at Arizona State and coach at Amphitheater and Desert View high schools, is soon to be recognized for his coaching exploits in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Wrestling Hall of Fame announced last week that Portillo will be inducted on April 19 because of his success as head coach at Silver High School in Silver City, N.M.
Portillo coached Silver to three consecutive state runner-up finishes from 1994 to 1996 and multiple district championships. He coached 13 individual state champions, 28 state placers, and multiple All-Americans.
Portillo’s influence on young wrestlers also reached national and international stages as a coach with USA Wrestling. He has served on coaching staffs for world teams, Olympic training camps, the Pan American Games, and World Cup events.
The community involvement Portillo has exhibited in Southern Arizona, conducting numerous free wrestling camps for youths, is similar to what he did in New Mexico. The Sam Portillo Wrestling Camps in New Mexico attracted Olympians and national champions to train and mentor young wrestlers.
Portillo was inducted in the Sunnyside Unified School District Hall of Fame in 2018 for his wrestling and coaching success and community involvement.
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