Brian Harward staff writer
Jason Harward editor-in-chief
The varsity wrestling team placed second overall at Bay League finals on Thursday, Feb. 8. With finalists in seven weight classes and at least 10 wrestlers moving on to CIF Southern Section, many on the team felt this was just a signal for things to come.
“I think a lot of our guys have figured a lot of things out that have been issues for them over the season, and they’re really pulling it together and figuring out what they need to do. I think they’re gonna get done what they need to get done in the postseason,” junior captain and 126-pound division champion Daniel Heller said.
Although the team hopes to be competing long into the postseason, Heller, one of the top-ranked 126-pounders in the state, sees a program that will continue to improve in years to come.
“Everyone is coming up. Everyone is putting in more work. [Next year] I’m excited for more finalists, more champions, and I’m excited for big things. If we can recruit well in our big weights, we’re gonna have a shot at league and CIF as a team,” Heller said.
Senior captain Mateo Camargo-Hanley agrees with Heller, saying their young core has the drive and commitment to continue collecting medals for years to come.
“I think the future is very, very bright. We have a lot more committed members than we ever have, and this is the best we’ve finished in league in a long time with seven finalists,” Mateo. “Hopefully, we can have even more leaders who continue the legacy of being committed and people who want to be here, want to win and do win.”
One of the young wrestlers who found success at league finals was sophomore Jan Reyes, who placed third in his weight class, earning a CIF bid.
“The meet went pretty well. I think I can wrestle a little bit better than I did, but overall I’m happy and excited for postseason,” Reyes said.
Wrestling coach Ryan Faintich is hoping that his team can accomplish a first for the program by having multiple wrestlers qualify for Masters, which is the round after CIF.
“We’ve only ever had four Masters qualifiers, and certainly we’d like to have a Masters qualifier this year, but I think the goal this year is to do something we’ve never done and have more than one qualifier,” Faintich said. “That would be phenomenal.”
CIF Individuals begin Friday, Feb. 16