Gatorade GameChangers: Ely Pocaigue (ND wrestling)

He's got it under control in the classroom and on the mat. 15-year-old Ely Pocaigue already has a cache of hardware from California, Guam and the Philippines for his skills in jujitsu, but now he's proving himself a mighty contender in another sport. He attends Notre Dame High School but wrestles for the Southern High Dolphins.

"I've been doing jujitsu for quite a while wrestling is similar but different and I just wanted to give it a go and try out and see if I'll make it," he said.

And did he. His first season on the mat at the All-Island Wrestling Championships, he took home gold in his 106-pound weight division.

"I see myself improving in the sport and wanting to learn more and more about it and so it can improve my game in jiu-jitsu because it helps both," he said.

Not only though is Ely a champion on the mat - he's a champion in the classroom, too.

"I'm averaging an 'A' in all my classes that's pretty much why I chose to go to ND because education is always first over anything, and I just wanted to have a good education before I could have good sports," he said.

He attributes his accomplishments to his supportive parents.

"Those guys are the ones that really push me to do my best at all times," he shared.  "Because even if they see me struggle because they will do anything they can to help me even if it's with homework or help me look up moves to try and practice in a real match."