By: Aliya Koshalieva

Nat/World Editor

After a tremendously successful season last year, during which the Los Gatos High School wrestling teams clinched victory at the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League Finals and demonstrated their prowess by sending wrestlers to the highly competitive Central Coast Section Northern Regional competition, the athletes dedicated themselves to months of rigorous training and practice in preparation for the upcoming season. Their commitment and hard work culminated in an eagerly anticipated start to the wrestling season.

Following an intensive pre-season regimen that included grueling workouts, strategic drills, and strength building exercises, the Los Gatos High School boys’ varsity and junior varsity wrestling teams eagerly entered the competitive arena. The much-anticipated debut took place on December 1 and 2 at the Robert Arballo Holiday Hammer Memorial Tournament hosted by Madera South High School, where the teams faced off against opponents from various high schools.

At the end of the tournament, the Wildcats had two champions, four finalists, and seven athletes who placed on the leaderboard. In the 108 weight class bracket, junior Colton Hernandez made it to the semifinal rounds against wrestlers from Madera South and Madera High Schools. At the same time, sophomore Antonio Rodriguez took home first place in the 128 bracket. Sophomore Tyce Bowen in the 134 weight bracket beat wrestlers from Selma, Leemore, Tulare Union, and Hoover. Joseph Ramirez placed third in the 140 bracket. In the 146 bracket, senior Timothy Murabito placed second in the final round. Meanwhile,  junior James Xu beat an opponent from Nipomo High School. In the bracket for third place in the 146 groups, Xu beat wrestlers from Roosevelt and Evergreen Valley. Senior Ethan Parco won the bracket for the 152 bracket, while senior Teddy Smith placed fifth. In the 177 bracket, junior Dylan Pile placed second, while junior Kamran Ganjoo beat Kerman High School. Rodriguez and Parco were both named champions, while Parco was honored with the Outstanding Wrestler award for the middleweight division.

The girls’ varsity and junior varsity teams went to the Ed Ferrell Classic tournament, with freshman Lyla Barber taking home first place in the 130 bracket. In the girls’ 135 bracket, freshman Mackenzie Ruiz took first place against Monterey. The boys’ Frosh/Soph team also participated in the Ed Ferrell tournament. James Price defeated Bellarmine, and Tyler Tonella beat Los Altos in another bracket. 

All of the hard work they put into training paid off, kicking the season off on a high note. They will compete at the Reno TOC on Jan. 5 and Jan 6, 2023. 

(sources: Flowrestling, Track Wrestling)