WRESTLING: BRINGING IN
THE NEW YEAR
The Boys’ Season Starts With Tough
Practices and Tournaments
By Stephanie Ringel
It has proven to be a tough
road for the team this year. Already half way into the season
these boys have shown no mercy in the face of competition.
Their first match, Ram Duals, held at Willow Glen High School
on December 3, was definitely an intense way to start off the
season. They have proven that their “Quest for Excellence”
not only calls for physical strength, but mental strength as well.
With less than a week after their first match, the team persevered
on December 8 in a competition against Willow Glen in Valley’s
home gym. December 10 through 11 was, to say the least, a full
weekend; competing at the Coast Classic Tournament proved to be
a challenge for all. Senior Aaron Walls ravaged through by pinning
his opponents one after the other. The team endured through struggles
and came out with memories that will never be forgotten.
As the Christmas season came along there was no time for celebration,
at least not for these hard working wrestlers. They pulled through
practices and competed at least once every week in December and
finally got a time to rest after the Silicon Valley Challenge
Cup held on December 23 at the Santa Clara University Leavy Center.
Bringing in the New Year with a January 4 match against Bellarmine
demonstrated that they have made a few more New Year’s resolutions.
Only three days lapse and they are at it again. Another fun-filled
weekend was lined up for the team on January 7 through 8 competing
at the Valley of the Moon Tournament where the team scored 18
points with only one loss. Their first league game of the year
was spent in a pursuit of success. On January 12 the heat was
on at Archbishop Mitty; it was a close call resulting in Valley
scoring a total of 23 points.
These boys have certainly reaped their rewards. Junior Abram Coetsee
succeeded in winning the Holder’s Country Inn award last
December along with a top ten placement in the West Catholic Athletic
League for 189 pounds. He also recieved a broken nose, a worthy
battle wound that has yet to disrupt his looks. Only a sophomore,
Ryan Gardner displayed his strength by gaining a top ten placement
at 215 pounds. Senior Justin Willis, weighing in at 275 pounds,
took his well-deserved spot at number five in WCAL. As for the
rest of the season, the team will have to continue to push through
to victory for their last ten matches.
