Mario Arellano is no stranger to patience. You could say he’s mastered it, having waited for months to get onto the football field to crush opposing players.
Arellano, a senior at Del Oro, sat on the sidelines all of his junior year due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. This year, he finally got back onto the field and released all his pent-up energy onto opposing players. And the waiting paid off as Arellano was named on Monday to the South Yosemite Horizon League all-league second team for defense.
“It felt good playing again with the team I love, and I wish I could have played last season,” he said. “I had a good season this year. I put hard work into football and I’ll probably take my hard work to college.”
Arellano spent his freshman year at Golden Valley high and transferred to Del Oro as a sophomore when the school opened in 2022. He immediately was one of the Suns’ most valuable players.
“My first year at Del Oro was great,” he said. “It was easier than I thought it would be, but toward the end it was a bumpy road.”
Del Oro’s JV football team went undefeated for most of its initial season before ending the year with losses to South and Golden Valley.
“We had a hell of a season,” Arellano said.
But prior to his junior year, Arellano injured his knee and sat out the entire season. He said his teammates told him they needed his help for certain plays, and they missed his leadership.
Head Coach Pete Hernandez said the football team missed his spirit and enthusiasm.
“We didn’t have anyone to replace him,” Hernandez said.
Arellano returned to the field this season and once again was one of the Suns’ top defensive ends. He said his senior year is going “very well.”
Arellano said he’s always loved playing sports. He’s done everything from wrestling and boxing to football and baseball.
One of the things he said he’ll miss about Del Oro after he graduates is the weight room. Another thing he said he’ll miss is the number of programs available for students who want to make a difference in their lives and in the community.
“Del Oro has helped me mentally, making me realize all I need to do is just focus on school and to graduate,” he said.
Arellano offered some advice for other students who may be challenged by adversity:
“Always stay on track and never give up,” he said. “It’s okay to make mistakes.”
