OLYMPIA, Wash. – Horacio Godinez (So.) from The Evergreen State College men's wrestling team is the Evergreen Featured Athlete of the Week for May 7, 2026. Godinez was an NAIA All-American during the 2025-26 season after earning eighth place in the 138-pound weight class at the NAIA Men's Wrestling Championships. He took second place in his weight class at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships and received First Team All-Conference honors.

Prior to joining the Geoducks, Godinez attended Central Washington University but did not participate in athletics. He attended Toppenish High School in Toppenish, Washington, where he competed in wrestling, cross country, and track and field. He won three State Championships as a high school wrestler, as he achieved titles in the 106-pound, 113-pound, and 138-pound weight classes.

Godinez is the Evergreen record holder in men's wrestling for wins in a season and wins in a career. He earned a 37-7 overall record in 2025-26, while also setting the school record with a .841 winning percentage. His career record in two seasons with the Geoducks is 61-14 (.813).

As a top competitor for the Evergreen men's wrestling team, Godinez accepts the responsibilities of being a leader for the Geoducks.

"I would consider myself a leader for the team," Godinez acknowledged. "What I offer to the team is my knowledge and experience in wrestling. Others have said to me that I lead more by example … a quiet leader you could say. I am working on being more vocal. My top strengths as a wrestler are my resilience and work ethic."

Godinez is Evergreen's first NAIA All-American since the Geoducks began competing in men's wrestling in 2023-24. This past season was exceptional for Godinez with many great victories. He's also proud of other memories with the team.

"Things I remember most from this season are the hard practices where we would just grind, as well as fun times at tournaments, and moments of unity supporting each other in duals and tournaments," Godinez recalled. "What I like most about being a part of the team is the opportunity to create history, to be one of the first to bring in accomplishments for the team, and to watch it grow in the following years."

At Toppenish High School, Godinez was a successful multi-sport athlete. His accomplishments in wrestling were exceptional, yet he also enjoyed his efforts in cross country and track and field.

"A few of my top memories from being an athlete at Toppenish are competing in other sports like track and cross country in the offseason," Godinez said. "In track, I would do the 800-meter run and the pole vault." He qualified for the State meet in the pole vault as a senior.

"In cross country," Godinez added. "I would participate to maintain my conditioning for wrestling, but I would also enjoy begin a part of the team and the races."

After attending Central Washington University as a student but not as an intercollegiate athlete, Godinez decided to transfer to Evergreen as a student-athlete.

"I chose to come to Evergreen for the opportunity to wrestle again after taking a two-year break following high school," Godinez commented. "At Evergreen, my field of study has shifted from Health Sciences (at CWU) to Environmental Studies."

Godinez is active on the wrestling team and as a student. He's also a representative on Evergreen's Association of Student Athletes, which is a liaison organization between the teams, athletics leadership, and The Evergreen State College. Godinez is also active in a variety of hobbies and other activities.

"Outside of academics and sports, I like to frolic in the wood and fields, go hiking, go to the gym, and use my longboard," Godinez said. "I love to eat, play video games, and hang out with my friends!"