Robby Ostovich doesn't stand out, at least not at first. He's a young man of very few words.

But once he shakes hands with his opponent and the referee's whistle opens the wrestling match, the quiet warrior's performance comes across loud and clear.

The Moanalua senior has honed his craft the past three years to become a team leader for coach Eddy Gudoy's squad and an early favorite to take the 152-pound division in February's state championships.

“;I definitely think he has the ability to place well at states,”; Gudoy said. “;He's a senior and will say something when he has to, and the other kids will listen. Because he's so quiet, I think it scares some people. Kids always want to be his friend because they definitely don't want to be his enemy. But he's really a nice kid.”;

Ostovich's quiet demeanor has earned him nicknames like “;Robo Rob”; or “;Android.”; His performance on the mat is deliberate, efficient and workmanlike.

He isn't flashy, but has the knack to quickly read the opponent, see his weakness, and exploit it. He studies video of his matches just like a quarterback does game film, learning from mistakes and polishing the skills that brought victory.

“;Over the years, I've experimented, trying different moves, making adjustments and now I feel like everything is starting to come together,”; Ostovich said. “;I learn more with every match and keep trying to get better. The main thing I've learned is not to waste time — get on it, work fast and hard.”;

Ostovich isn't alone when it comes to training and advice. In addition to the tutelage of longtime Moanalua coach Gudoy, Ostovich's father is a 10-year professional mixed martial arts fighter with 12 bouts under his belt. In fact, Robby regularly trains with Robert Sr. and competes with his dad as well as other older men in his weight range, whether in wrestling, kickboxing, grappling or judo. Many of them are also pros. Robby's ability has been good enough to attract the attention of local MMA promoters, but his parents brush them off because he's too young, focused on prep wrestling, and considering college.

His father sees the payoff from Robby's dedication to training.

“;I can feel a real difference in him this year, both in his maturity and physical build,”; said Ostovich Sr. “;He's spent the past year on the weights and a tough training regimen. I can tell he's stronger, more solid. He wasn't always a natural talent and struggled early. But he's trained hard and it makes me really happy that Robby's been successful this season. I think he's learned a life lesson that if you put in the time and effort to get better, it pays off. Everybody has their time and it's finally coming together for him.”;

Family ties run deep in the Ostovich ohana and they're a key factor in Robby's success. The youngest of three siblings and the only boy, he wakes up in the early morning for family devotionals. The rise before dawn is also essential to make the commute from their home in Maili to town.

Adding to the family act are Robby's two older sisters, Rachael and Kamalei, who wrestled for Gudoy during their prep careers at Moanalua. Rachael placed third at states in wrestling last year and first in her division in judo.

Last year, Robby won the OIA East tournament and went on to place fourth in the state. This year brings the sense of urgency that comes from being a senior and knowing it's his last chance to achieve his goal of finishing on top.

Ostovich lost his first match at the 'Iolani Invitational, due in large part to holiday eating and weighing in a few ounces over limit, resulting in having to compete in the 160-pound class. But he rehydrated and rebounded to win his remaining bouts. Later, he finished on top at the Officials Tournament on Maui, as well as the Farrington and Moanalua tourneys.

Gudoy understands the urgency that Ostovich and other seniors face. It's embodied in a parable he gives his athletes, called the “;marble story.”;

“;I tell them there's this guy who counted how many years, how many weeks he had left in his life,”; Gudoy said. “;He had a jar of marbles to represent his time on Earth. Every week that passed, he took a marble out. I tell the kids to think of their season that way. Every day you come to practice, every match you have, that's one less marble. If you want to waste that marble, it's up to you. Or you can use it wisely. When they become seniors, they see a lot fewer marbles in that jar and start to understand. Robby understands that and is using his marbles wisely. He has a great opportunity this year and if he stays healthy, it's open for him.”;