In the Wildcat sports scene, the name “Aceves” frequently appears on varsity rosters, newspaper write-ups, and end-of-season awards.

From leading varsity football to a 10-1 season, its best since 2001, and currently excelling on the wrestling mat, Nathan Aceves (‘25) is one of BOHS’s most accomplished athletes. 

Aceves’s patch-covered letter jacket is testament to his successes in both sports, with array of accolades, including:

• First Team All-League in football in 2023 and 2024
• All-CIF Southern Section in football in 2023 
• Offensive Player of the Year for football and baseball
• wrestling Coach’s Award in 2023
• wrestling League Champion
• All-County in wrestling
• placed fourth in the wrestling CIF-Southern Section Sectionals in 2023

This past fall, Aceves rushed for 1033 yards and scored 21 touchdowns on a varsity football squad that won a Kappa League championship and advanced to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs.

More recently, on Dec. 14 and 15, Aceves finished fourth at the Mann Classic Tournament in Huntington Beach. The senior’s only losses were to California’s eleventh-ranked wrestler and a California top 30 wrestler. 

To gain insight into his passion for both football and wrestling, and about the life a champion, dual-sport athlete, the Wildcat met with Aceves for an exclusive interview.

The Wildcat: What would you consider are your greatest strengths as an athlete?

Nathan Aceves: I handle pressure well when playing either sport and I have a lot of confidence in myself.

W: What made you decide to play football? 

Aceves: I had always loved watching [football] since I was a little kid and I fell in love with the sport right away.

W: What do you enjoy about wrestling?

Aceves: I like the grittiness and hard work aspect. Wrestling is a tough sport, both mentally and physically.

W: What do you find is the biggest difference between football and wrestling?

Aceves: “Football is a team sport and wrestling is an individual sport, but I think that wrestling is a lot more physically demanding than football.”

W: What do you believe is the most challenging part of balancing both football and wrestling?

Aceves: “The most challenging part of football is how the next day, [after a game], you wake up and have a bunch of cuts and bruises. [Whereas in] wrestling, you are tired, thirsty, and really hungry every day.

W: What is the best part about competing?

Aceves: I like to compete because I feel like it’s the best way to compare skills to your opponent and I like gauging where I’m at.

W: What is your favorite thing to do after a game?

Aceves: Eating is the only thing on my mind. Raising Canes is the go-to when it comes to dinner after an event.

W: How has your family impacted your athletic journey?

Aceves: My parents always support me, there have been countless practices and events that they’ve driven me to and they are always there for me.

W: How have your coaches impacted you?

Aceves: They taught me to be a better man, helped me believe in myself, and taught me a lot of life lessons as well as helped me improve with the sport.

W: Who is your biggest supporter?

Aceves: My mom is my biggest supporter. She is always there at my events and cheers me on even when we are losing.

W: How have your teammates impacted your experience with sports?

Aceves: For football, my teammates impact my success. I wouldn’t be able to have the stats I do if the offensive line didn’t do their job. Friendship-wise, all of my best friends came from sports. It’s easy to be friends with your teammates because there is always a camaraderie and you always have the same goal.

W: How do you want to be remembered by your coaches and teammates?

Aceves: I want them to remember me for the person I am, and not the athlete I was.

W: Who is your biggest inspiration?

Aceves: “My biggest inspiration would be my future self.

W: What advice would you give to future athletes?

Aceves: For both wrestling and football, you have to work hard and realize that getting better doesn’t happen overnight. If you want to be great then you have to be consistent.

W: What do you think is the most important quality in a successful athlete?

Aceves: Confidence in yourself. If you don’t think you can be great then it doesn’t matter what other people think about you. Even if you aren’t the greatest athlete, if you believe in yourself then you can be. I think that everybody has a chance to be great.

W: What sets you apart from other athletes?

Aceves: I work hard and I don’t do anything else besides sports. Sports is what I’ve decided I want to do with my life so I’m fully committed and I never bet against myself.

W: What  has been the biggest highlight of your high school sports career so far?

Aceves: All of CIF for football. Wrestling is to be determined because I don’t think I’ve had accolades like that yet.

W: What are your post-high school plans?

Aceves: “I want to wrestle in college. I want to go to Arizona State University so I can be with my cousins, or I would want to stay in California.”