Richard Figueroa’s hometown of Selma is a small dot in the center of the California map, a community of nearly 25,000 that regularly produces top-tier high school wrestlers. 

Since 2009, Selma has finished fifth or better in the team standings seven times at the California state tournament and 10 wrestlers from the school have won individual championships — none more decorated than Figueroa. 

“Selma is a wrestling town, always has been,” Figueroa said. “Ever since I went to my first practice, my mom liked how it pushed me and I fell in love with it.”

In August, Figueroa will represent the United States at the Junior World Championships in Ufa, Russia. It’s his third age-group World Team. The Arizona State recruit claimed a silver medal at the 2018 Cadet World Championships to go with a vast collection of state and national accolades, including Ironman, Doc Buchanan and Super 32 championships.  

As a junior, Figueroa won his third California state title, becoming one of 27 wrestlers to win at least three championships in the one-classification system. He was aiming to become the state’s fifth four-time champion until California shut down its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Although Figueroa could not add to his high school resume this past season, he built himself for college-level mat wrestling.

“Where I grew up wrestling, it was always just top and bottom,” Figueroa said. “As for neutral, I am getting better now since I am practicing more.”

Though Selma created Figueroa’s foundation, he pushed to raise his game by training with partners throughout California. He worked with a variety of coaches, including Ruben Valencia, and his mentors shaped him into a flashy finisher.

“I like to have fun, showcase, be slick and wrestle hard,” Figueroa said. “I have a killer mentality, but like to get the crowd pumped up.” 

His Selma-shaped style fits Arizona State’s tempo. 

“The coaches match my traits,” Figueroa said. “(Arizona State coach Zeke) Jones was a lightweight and he knows all the positions. Mark Perry coached Jesse Delgado and turned him into a two-time NCAA champ. Frank Molinaro comes from Penn State, so he knows how the system works there and how to build champions at Arizona State.”

Figueroa’s credentials will make him a marked man in college. He’s well aware of that and ready for the test. 

“There is always a target on my back, but you have to always think there is someone that is better than you,” Figueroa said. “I take it as a threat and challenge.”

Figueroa knows he’ll have plenty of eyes on him when he begins his career with the Sun Devils, including a bunch back home in Selma. 

“Hopefully, I’m able to set a great example to these young kids that if you work hard, do good in school, and be good to your parents, things will fall in place,” Figueroa said.