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Noor Flanagan-Almusahwi, Los Altos High’s first-year wrestling coach, exudes positivity and evokes a sense of endless possibilities.
He dreams large, setting challenging goals for himself and the program.
“I want to grow wrestling in the community,” Flanagan-Almusahwi said in a recent phone interview. “I’m committed not just to survive but to thrive.”
The 26-year-old, a member of the Iraqi national wrestling team and a potential Olympian, developed his passion for wrestling by using the sport to channel his anger issues. He was introduced to wrestling after he emigrated from Iraq, via Syria and Jordan.
“I didn’t know anything about wrestling,” Flanagan-Almusahwi said. “I was just wrestling angry and beating guys.”
Flanagan-Almusahwi, competing for Leland, placed fifth in the 160-pound division of the 2014 Central Coast Section championships. He reached the final four before being knocked into the consolation bracket. “It’s like starting over,” he said of wrestling three extra matches to place fifth.
Starting over defines Flanagan-Almusahwi’s life. He grew up amid war and poverty during Saddam Hussein’s terror-filled reign in Irag. He later spent time in a refugee camp, where he felt like an outcast and worked at various jobs and with no access to education.
One of Syria’s top sprinters in track and field, Flanagan-Almusahwi possessed talent. He needed an outlet.
His foster family gave him the opportunity. Pioneer coach Fernando Flanagan introduced him to the sport and Flanagan’s parents provided a stable living environment.
“I told him that he did so much for me, how can I pay him back.” Flanagan-Almusahwi said. “He said, ‘Noor, just pay it forward.’ I didn’t know what that meant.”
Flanagan-Almusahwi, who works for Google and trains with the Stanford wrestling team, has big plans for wrestling at Los Altos. He’s engaged with parents, administrators, and students. He wants to use the campus at lunch time as his venue for wrestle offs.
He was hired at Los Altos and attended the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League coaches meeting a half-hour later.
The Eagles have 34 athletes, including four girls, on their roster. They travel to compete against Sequoia at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
