The Road to State

Okay, so I am not exactly keeping up on this. Between practice, seeding meetings, Josh's baseball practice ( yes I coach that too) our wrestling club, and grading time has a way of slipping away. So here we are undefeated in league, and looking back at league finals there is a mixture of excitement and some sadness. Excitement that we had 12 in the finals during a year in which everyone thought we were going to fall on our face,and sadness watching kids I have had the pleasure to coach and watch grow up start on the road to their last match as a husky. It was awesome to see the young kids like Vincent Herrera and Jeremy Osborn win their first league title, and satisfying to see Daniel Flores, Thomas Morales defend last years crowns, and set their sights on besting their brothers. Tough to watch the two freshman who have weathered all the storms and challenges to stay on the top line all year lose in two very close matches. But, I didn't know how to feel watching Mitchell Chatfield break the grip of his brother's shadow in becoming the next league champion in that family. Or watching Mike Ramos go from a little kid who told me in a wrestling room a long time ago he would wrestle for me, how about watching Ty (yes that's his name) Olson grow from a 130 pounder to a state ranked 215, knowing how hard he has worked and how much he deserves it. Maybe a little heartbreak as Joe Talarico lost in a referee's bad decision, or Jeff Vargas coming back after a broken ankle to place second. I did feel a little envy as Greg Vargas took his older brothers advice and kept wrestling becoming a two time league champion and MVP of the league. I thought Kent, what if?" Now I have the dual meet stuff in front of me and will begin to prepare for those that we may see, and have already done the scouting for CIF individuals. We have a lot of youngsters that need to begin to come into the club and wrestle on Monday and Wednesday, the cost will be low $15 a month, but it will be invaluable. Thanks to everyone who has helped make this year a success so far,but we have a long way to go. Only a handful know how difficult this year has been , both emotionally and physically. I would like to thank ( and I will at the banquet) Scott Stragier who over 20 years ago kicked me in the butt, and continues to be my coach and my best friend. I will miss the rides, the hotels, but mostly the remember when stories. This is not one of those moments that I want to remember. We have a great shot at another title so come on out to Alta Loma and cheer us on this Saturday.

Temecula Day 1

Okay before I go to bed, everyone has checked their weight, and looks good.   Okay, man this tourney is tough.  CLOVIS , TV,BAKERSFIELD, CLOVIS WEST, a lot of teams from our CIF and Duals.  After day 1 the huskies have 9 still in competition.  Daniel Flores, Vincent Herrera, Jonathon Perez, Joe Talarico and Dakota Behr are all still alive in the consolation round, and will need to win the next 2 to place.   Mike Ramos, Ty Olson and Greg Vargas are in the Championship  1/4 finals and need to win just one to place.  The team overall is 2 points out of 3rd.  Not bad for a rebuilding team.   This has been kinda fun providing updates , sorry they are so late .    

Temecula Day 1

We're here

At least at the hotel.  Everyone has weighed in and will get ready for the 6:30 run then 8:00 weigh in for the Temecula Valley Tournament.  Tonight was a great night for SHHS Wrestling.  The Junior Varsity handed Nogales a 7803 drubbing and then Varsity beat Nogales 81-0.  There's always a chance for a letdown, but we really have started to turn a corner.  For live webcast information of the TV tournament, check thecaliforniawrestler.com.  Another varsity team will go to Arroyo Tournament.   Next week the team travels to Walnut, and with that maybe the last time as a San Antonio league member.  The time has come for the schools to look at re-league which may be  better since our league now only sends the top 2, and sometimes we have 3 tough kids and someone gets left home.    Senior night came and went so fast, before we know it we will be saying goodbye to guys like Dylan Crawford.  Lets try to make Walnut a bit brighter this Thursday by again issuing a "WHITE OUT".  I will try to get an update out tomorrow night after the first day of wrestling.  Don't forget  Takedown club meeting Tuesday  January 27th.

Thoughts and Ramblings

Okay so I have fallen a little behind, but I hope to catch up in one shot. The Arizona trip was a huge success, and if thy do not change the date next year we will be there. Three kids made the all tournament team, with two more very deserving of it. The team finished in 4th losing to Thunderbird HS both times. While we were there, the rest fo the Varsity ( I hate to call hem B Team) went to the Brea Olinda Tournament,and had a few placers. After that the Varsity went to the Blackwatch TOurnament at Upland. The team set a school record for most points in a tourney, and had 6 finalists, and 5 Champions. Three days later the JV and Frosh team went to Chino Hills and the JV won the tournament and had 9 in the finals, and the freshman wrestling without a full team took 5th. School Started back up and the team has been focusing on league, and the Top line guys got a well deserved weekend of of competition, and the rest of the squad went to Nogales, where 10 wrestlers mad it back to the second day. Again 2 wrestlers found their way to the podium. Not bad for a team that is "rebuilding". This week we start the defense of our league title. We travel to West Covina, and hope to have a huge following , with everyone wearing white. We want to bring our own "White Out" into their gym. After that the takedown club will be having a social, on Saturday Night see Arnie Behr for details. In just a few short weeks we will be talking about CIF, the season is really flying by. Okay I think I have us all caught up. Now I need to get back to burning Scout DVD's for this week.

By now most of you have heard the tragic news that Sal Castillo's family was involved in the fire and shootings on Christmas eve. Sal and his two sisters were not harmed by the gunman, however their family suffered tragic losses of both grandparents and Sal's mother Sylvia, along with several Aunt's and Uncle's. The coaches have been in contact with Sal, and are working on a plan to help assist the family. Our hearts go out to Sal and his sisters, and since we are family, we will take care of them. Let's please allow the family some privacy regarding this matter, and just offer up gentle support and loving arms. More information about assistance will be availible at a later date.

WOW and more WOW

What a crazy weekend! First off the duals at San Dimas, more on those later. Then a dual tourney at South Hills Way to go boys first place and everyone got to wrestle. Friday we went to El Dorado and wrestled all day and returned to the school at midnight, just to leave the next morning @ 7:30 to go back. We beat last years record of 5 placers and had 6 this year with 2 finalists. In fact it's the first time since the 215 pound weight class was added that SH had both the 215 and heavyweight in the finals at a tourney other than league finals . Great Job to the girls as well out at 1000 oaks, a champion adn some thirds! Then early Sunday morning I was cutting mats in the wrestling room, and now tryign to update stats and review film and get ready for the Sultana dual. It must be wrestling season!!!
Now for the San Dimas dual. I was really impressed all the way around we not only had fans, but we had alumni and alumni families there. I was very impressed with Coach Josh Stragier's squad, (although I knew he could do it) and need to clarify things. The rule book says that the end of match procedure is that the competing wrestlers must shake hands before the winner's hand is raised. It has been a tradition ( one that is not honored in collegiate wrestling) that wrestlers shake the opposing coaches hand. Here is my stand point. If the Dual meet starts with a line up and meeting in the center of the mat, the wrestlers shake hands. Before they wrestle they shake hands, after they wrestle they shake hands. they shake hands with the coach after a match. they shake hands again as a team with ALL the opposing wrestlers and the opposing coaches again (starts to sound like a little much). In the mean time a wrestler who has won a hard fought match runs over to receive a limp wrist or knuckle bump from the opposing coach ( which I view as disrespectful) if anything at all (especially if the match was close). Most times in a very heated dual things are said by parents, volunteers, kids, and coaches alike to the winning wrestler. All because he did what he was supposed to do, win. I made it clear that we would not be going across the mat that night, in order to a.) speed things up, and b.) to protect my kids. I informed both the referees, and the other coaches. I understand many fans felt what we did was unsportsmanlike, or to punish Josh, quite the contrary. I was protecting my kids. We did shake hands after the duals as always and will continue to do so, as we will in skipping the perfunctory handshake with the opposing coach after the match.
That being said , all who won this weekend great, all who lost great too!! It's what we learn form both our wins and losses that count. December tournaments (while fun) aren't the tourneys you WANT to win, that one is in March : )