Inland Div Masters Qualifiers
· Del Rio League State Qualifiers
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DAILY NEWS ANNOUNCES AREA WRESTLING COACH OF THE YEAR
In a somewhat ambiguous website article, the Whittier Daily News announced the Del Rio League's Santa Fe High School Coach Sal Garcia as the Area Wrestling Coach of the Year.
Santa Fe certainly had the best success among the area's wrestling teams, finishing 1st in DRL, 2nd in the Division III Duals, 4th at CIF-Inland Division, 6th at Masters and 24th at State; more than enough to earn the honor for Coach Garcia. Our congratulations to Coach Garcia and the Santa Fe Chiefs.
Santa Fe captured five spots on the All Area First Team and added four more to the All Area Second Team.
All-Area Wrestling Team
Wrestler of the Year, Julian Zuniga (Schurr), SR
Coach of the Year, Sal Garcia (Santa Fe)
103 - Aaron La Farge (La Habra) JR
112 - Dimitri Crouch (Santa Fe) So
119 - Marcus Orona (Santa Fe) SR
125 - Josh Quezada (Montebello) SR
130 - Nigel Villalobos (Santa Fe) So
135 - Matt Shimamoto (Schurr) SR
140 - Matt Melendrez (Cal) JR
145 - Daniel Couts (Santa Fe) SR
152 - Raymond Guzman (Montebello) So
160 - Jeff Blanco (La Mirada), SR
171 - Nikolai Crouch (Santa Fe) JR
189 - Tony Fernandez (El Rancho) SR
215 - Julian Zuniga (Schurr), SR
275 - Bud Coit (La Mirada), SR
Second Team
103 - Tyler Yoneda (Schurr), JR
112 - Patrick Pico (La Habra), So
119 - Joe Salas (El Rancho), SR
125 - Chris Westrup (Santa Fe), SR
130 - Jay Montano (Pioneer), SR
135 - Luis Castaneda (La Serna), SR
140 - Justin Irribarren (Santa Fe), FR
145 - Bryan Barrocio (Santa Fe), JR
152 - Tim Williams (La Serna), FR
160 - Matthew Couts (Santa Fe), JR
171 - Thomas Negrete (La Habra), SR
189 - Sam Kurth (La Habra), SR
215 - Art Alvarez (Pioneer), SR
275 - Robert Contreras (La Serna), JR
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Getting The Most Out of Your Wrestling
Prep wrestling has grown steadily over the years. Most of today's successful wrestlers start early and wrestle often. Why? Along with drills, mat time is the best way to improve.
California has a 40 match limit, per season. Wrestlers should take full advantage of that number by competing in as many tournaments as possible. In addition, SCWA and AAU have numerous off-season tournaments that provide additional mat time (in freestyle and Greco). Wrestlers should shoot for up to 30 off-season matches. Especially in freestyle, which, by it's nature, offers more takedown activity. Greco training provide strength and position training, along with balance.
Also among the benefits of off-season wrestling is the opportunity to workout with higher level quality wrestling partners. Another great way to accerate your learning curve. Look at the names of CIF State qualifiers and you will find most of them participating in Spring/Summer wrestling.
Recognize these names of spring Freestyle/Greco All-Americans?: Zach Zimmer, Thomas Williams, Hunter Collins, Tito Pica, Josh Boger, Boris Novachkov, Nikko Triggas, Jessie Delgado, Tyler Sheridan, Ian Daube, Ryan Loder, John Meulman, Cody Pack, David Klingsheim, Cody Billings, Roger McCovey, Jason Welch. Go look at the CIF State Champions and placers lists on our California Wrestling Fan link and you will find them listed, in large part because of their involvement in off-season wrestling.
There are many organized teams in the Whittier area. A great way to enhance your skills.
Some Area Teams
Gladiators
Practices: Norwalk
Divisions: Open Junior Cadet Kids
Sept.-March paractice 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. $25 price includes T-shirt and shorts.
Monilo Enriquez | 562-929-2428 | email: menriquez@hamrock.com
Cobras Wrestling Club (Corrected)
Practices: La Serna (Open mat)
Divisions: All are welcome.
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 5:30 (kids) and 6:30 (high school).
Steve Romero | -- | email: --
La Mirada Wrestling Club
Practices: La Mirada
Divisions: Junior Cadet
Practices Monday and Wednesday 6:30-8:00 p.m. from March 9 through June 1. USA Card mandatory.
Bob Lipeles | 562-868-0431 x3372 (work)
Team So Cal Wrestling Club
Practices: Los Alamitos
Divisions: Open Junior Cadet Kids
Pat Cadwallader | 714-995-7542 (h) | email: caddy6@hotmail.com
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PLANNING AHEAD
Are you planning to wrestle in the DRL next year? If so, do you know who your competition is? Now, during the summer SCWA season, is when you should be planning your 2008-09 campaign.
Based on last year's DRL results and graduating seniors, here's our look at your expected competion:
103 Jordan Vega LS
112 Dimitri Crouch SF
119 -Open-
125 Alex Gray CA
130 Nigel Villalobos SF
135 Carlos Salcedo SF
140 Matt Melendrez CA
145 -Open-
152 Tim Williams LS
160 Matt Couts SF
171 -Open-
189 Niko Crouch SF
215 Michael Contreras LS
285 Robert Contreras LS
Other: 130 Frankie Ruiz Wh
Other: 140 Justin Irribarren SF
Some may change weight classes due to growth. You should know what weight you'll wrestle next year and begin planning accordingly. We will take a closer look at these wrestlers and give our mostly objective assessment of each. One other consideration: Except for possibly three wrestlers on the list, the DRL is not all that competitive with the rest of CIF-SS. All the more reason for serious wrestlers to begin planning ahead and developing your skills.
Teams Assessment
Remaining 2008 SCWA Tourneys
Apr 26
Segerstom High School
2301 West MacArthur Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
May 3
Esperanza High School
1830 N. Kellog Drive
Anaheim, CA 92807
mhonig@pylusd.org
Quartz Hill High School
6040 West Avenue L
Quartz Hill, CA 93536
tleach@avhsd.org
May 10
West Covina HS
1609 Cameron Avenue
West Covina, CA 91791
Shirley.stephens@wcdhs.net
May 17
Santa Ana College
201 E 4th St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
May 24
La Serna High School
15301 E. Youngwood Dr.
Whittier, CA 90605
High Desert Championship
Lancaster High School
44701 32nd St. West
Lancaster, CA 93536
All SCWA tournaments weigh-ins from 7:00 to 8:30 AM. Wrestling begins at 9:30 AM. For additional info check with contact person.
Entry fee $10.00 per style and weight class.
Must have USA card. (On sale at tournaments.)
In an effort to popularize the event, grappling is offered at many of these tournaments. I've not expounded on grappling because I don't see any value in it with regards to folk and freestyle wrestling. Grappling techniques are illegal in wrestling and serve no purpose for the budding prep wrestler.
| Wrestler of the Week - 03/01/2008 |
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Marcus Orona
119 LBS
Santa Fe
Record: 38-3
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1st at CIF-SS Inland Section
3rd at CIF-SS MASTERS
3rd at 2008 State Championships |
Santa Fe's Niko Crouch Leads DRL Wrestlers At Masters
Niko Crouch of Santa Fe came away from the 2008 CIF-SS Master Wrestling Tournament as the runner-up, to the state's #1 ranked wrestler. That is a respectable finish for the 171 pound Junior, who now heads to the State Champioships at Rebo Bank Arena in Bakersfield.
Crouch led a contingent of four Del Rio League wrestlers who placed at the Masters. Teammate Daniel Couts placed 3rd at 145 lbs and Marcus Orona, also of Santa Fe, placed 3rd at 119 lbs. The trio of Chieftans was joined by Matt Melendrez of California High School, who place sixth at 140 lbs. All four will represent the DRL at the State Tournament.
Santa Fe Loses bid for Division III Duals Repeat.
Last year Santa Fe went to South Hills' house and won the Division III Wrestling Duals Championship. The score was Santa Fe 38, South Hills 21.
This year South Hills came to Santa Fe's house and did the same.
South Hills, ranked number one, won convincingly by a score of 51-14. Santa Fe managed to win only four of fourteen matchs, 2 by decision and 2 (Dimitri Crouch, Daniel Couts) by Major Decision:
Dimitri Crouch 112 (12-0)
Marcus Orona 119 (3-2)
Daniel Couts 152 (18-10)
Niko Crouch 171 (5-2)
One bright spot that came out of the defeat was the Chiefs' Marcus Orona's victory over defending 112 lb State Champion Thomas Williams, a long anticipated match that solidified Orona's number one state ranking.
The Del Rio League's other entry, La Serna, bowed out early as the Lancers were unable to handle number five ranked Montclair, losing a 67-9 decision. Robert Powell, 145 lbs and Jordan Vega, 103 managed wins for La Serna.
Congrats to the Chiefs and Lancers for a valiant efforts.
DEL RIO LEAGUE CROWNS
2008 WRESTLING CHAMPIONS
Pioneer High School - February 2, 2008 The Del Rio League Champion Santa Fe Chiefs close the regular season with seven DRL Champions and send 12 of 14 to CIF-SS Inland Sectionals. La Serna captured four championships and will advance 8 wrestlers to CIF post season. California, El Rancho and Pioneer won one each of the remaining three championships.
The Champions:
103 Jordan Vega, La Serna
112 Dimitri Crouch, Santa Fe
119 Marcus Orona, Santa Fe
125 Chris Westrup, Santa Fe
130 Nigel Villalobos, Santa Fe
135 Luis Castaneda, La Serna
140 Matt Melendrez, Cal
145 Daniel Couts, Santa Fe
152 Tim Williams, La Serna
160 Matt Couts, Santa Fe
171 Niko Crouch, Santa Fe
189 Tony Fernandez, El Rancho
215 Art Alvarez, Pioneer
Hwt Robert Contreras, La Serna
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CIF ANNOUNCES NEW DIVISIONS MAKEUP FOR 2008-2010 DUALS
The Del Rio League remains in Division III for the next two year cycle, but opponents have new faces.
2008-2010 Division III
· Del Rio
· Desert Valley (New)
· Mission Valley (New)
· Moore
· Mt. Baldy
· Pacific View (New)
· Pioneer (New)
· Sierra (New)
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Gone are the Channel, Desert Sky, San Andreas, San Antonio and Trinity Leagues.
Top ranked teams joining the Division include Palm Desert, Rosemead, Camarillo, Oxnard, North Torrance, Santa Monica, Ayala and Chino.
With South Hills, Cajon and St John Bosco moving out, the over-all affect of the changes is a Division ripe for Santa Fe dominance and the potential of more DRL control, with growing programs at La Serna and California. Likely competition would come from North Torrance and Chino.
CIF-SS Realigns Individual Wrestling Championships Divisions
Back in 2005-06 the DRL competed in CIF-SS Individual Wrestling Championships in the Eastern Division. That changed in 2006-07 as the DRL moved over to the newly aligned Inland Division. Next year (2008-09), another new 2-year cycle begins as CIF-SS leagues realign based on number of qualifiers to the Southern Section Masters.
Three Inland Division leagues will stay together in the, as yet unnamed, new Division: Del Rio, Golden West and Los Padres Leagues. They will be joined by the
Mission, Pacific Coast, Pioneer,
South Coast,
and
Sunbelt Leagues.
The new Division will change the landscape of competition for top DRL wrestlers as some quality competition is in the offing. 2008 State qualifiers coming into the new Division include: Juan Jaime, 103 (Laguna Hills); Kevin Mai, 103 (North Torrance); Mitch Newcomer, 140 (Laguna Hills); Ramon Estrada, 152 (Perris); and Thomas Estrada, 171 (Perris).
Del Rio League State Qualifiers
ROAD TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
119 Marcus Orona
Orona is in one of the toughest weight classes, with a lot of parity. The front runner have faced off and own one point wins against each other. Marcus, ranked number one, is in the lower bracket, which is ideal for him to get to the semi-final, although there is no eviable seed. Should he succeed, Orona will likely face Derek Rizo (Foothill-CS7), Chase Aura (Foothill-NC1), Cody Tow (Union Mine-SJ1), and Martin Gonzales (Gilroy-CC1) or Richard Alarcon (Mafair-SS2).
140 Matt Melendrez
Few picked Melendrez to qualify for State. Last year he won CIF sectionals and then faltered at Masters. This year Melendrez had a tougher road placing 2nd at CIF and while he was 6th at Masters, he reached the semi-final and then retired to 6th place rather than wrestle two more matches. Melendrez drew an out-bracket, which gives him an extra match. That match, against Vincent Aboytes of Gilroy will be a challenge. Should he win, Melendrez will face Buchanan's Martin Fabbian. Match three, should Matt get that far will be against the #1 seed Trent Stevenson of Arcata, favored to win the 140 lb title. The road won't be easy, but before anyone writes off Melendrez, keep in mind that he is a tough competitor who rises to the occasion.
145 Daniel Couts
Couts is on the toughest side of the 140 lb bracket. He is a strong starter and should have no problem getting past his first match, against Desi Rios (Pleasant valley), runner-up in the Central Section Masters. That would earn him a likely match with Taylor Hodel of Vacaville or Archie Tovar of Selma. A win in match two would get Couts into the Quarter-final where his likely oponent would be Tyler Sheridan of De la Salle. The road only gets harder after that as number one ranked and 2007 state 3rd place finisher, Travis Rasmussen may be waiting at the semi-final junction. Couts has a lot going for him, including his strong determination. He will leave nothing on the mats.
171 Niko Crouch
Niko also drew an out-bracket, which means an xtra match. But he should have no problem dispatching of the San Francisco Div champ, Anthony Marshall. Crouch's work will get harder from there as he will face John Musquez of Centennial, who drew a bye. Although a challenge, Crouch should also win that match. Behind that Ian Daube (Poway) awaits, which will be Niko's biggest challenge on the road to the semi-final. Success means facing off Hunter Collins of Gilroy. Niko has improved throughout the year. We look for him to place at state.
THREE DRL TEAMS ADVANCE WRESTLERS TO MASTERS
Santa Fe leads the way as DRL wrestlers head for MASTERS. The Chiefs crowned two CIF Sectional Champions with Marcus Orona winning the 119 lb title and Daniel Couts winning at 145 lbs. Dimitri Crouch placed 2nd at 112 lbs, while brother Niko Crouch was runner-up at 171. Freshman Justin Irribarren placed 3rd at 140 lbs and Nigel Villalobos finished 5th at 130 lb, giving the Chiefs six qualifiers. Santa Fe finished 4th in team scoring.
El Rancho advanced two, with Joe Salas placing 4th at 119 lbs and Tony Fernandez finishing 3rd at 189 lb. The California Condors will send Matt Melendrez who finished 2nd at 140 lbs.
LANCERS EDGE CALIFORNIA TO PLACE 2ND in DEL RIO LEAGUE WRESTLING
The La Serna Lancers wrestling team reached their goal of qualifying for CIF Duals for the first time in Lancer's wrestling history. Last week the team promised Coach Paul a victory. Today they made good on that promise in front of a packed gymnasium of fans.
The win, 31-29, came down to the final match. With California leading by a score of 29-28, Tim williams decisioned Justin Blackburn 7-5 to give La Serna the win.
Congratulations to the Lancers. Santa Fe and La Serna will represent the DRL in the CIF Division III Duals.
Next up, Del Rio League Tournament at Pioneer High School on February 2.
| League Standings |
| Team | W/L/T | Pct |
| Santa Fe | 5-0-0 | 1.000 |
| La Serna | 4-1-0 | .800 |
| California | 3-2-0 | .600 |
| El Rancho | 1-3-0 | .333 |
| Whittier | 0-3-0 | .000 |
| Pioneer | 0-4-0 | .000 |
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