By: Aliya Koshalieva

National/World Editor

Following a remarkable debut performance at the Robert Arballo Holiday Hammer Memorial tournament, the wrestling prowess of Los Gatos High School’s team put them in the spotlight once again. After placing second in the tournament, the team triumphantly entered the new season with momentum. Seven Wildcat wrestlers placed, four finalists, and two champions: senior Ethan Parco and sophomore Antonio Rodriguez. 

On Dec. 8 and 9, the varsity wrestlers fought students from various high schools at the Webber Lawson Classic at Fremont High School. In the 132 pound weight class, sophomore Tyce Bowen defeated a wrestler from Terra Nova 18-2, and a wrestler from Carlmont 5-0 before losing in the quarterfinal round to Clovis High School. Similarly, in the 138 weight class, freshman Tyler Tonella beat wrestlers from Leigh and Palo Alto High School by 12-0 and 13-4, respectively, before losing the quarterfinal round to a wrestler from Gilroy High School. However, he beat Matilda and Monta Vista High schools, placing fifth. Junior Stuart Cornelius, in the 157 weight class, beat Lynbrook 6-5 but lost to Gilroy 0-2. On the girls’ team, freshman Mackenzie Ruiz made it to the semi-final round, beating Alisal, Matilda, and St. Francis High Schools. 

To close out 2023, the Wildcats attended the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nevada. From Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, 2023, the team competed against some of the best-ranked in the nation. Los Gatos placed 11th out of 90 other high schools. Rodriguez took home third place in the 120-weight division, beating three schools. Rodriguez beat Mountain Ridge by 9-1, Slam Academy by a takedown, and 10-2 before losing to Walnut High School. Senior Timmy Murabito placed 7th in the 138 weight division, beating Rio Rancho High School 4-1 and 11-1 against Slam Academy, but lost to Grand County. Parco took home silver in the 150 division. Parco beat Damonte Ranch by a takedown with a score of 12-1. He also beat Fremont by 17-1, Vacaville by 17-2, and Gilroy by 6-4. However, Meridian beat Parco 3-1. In the championship round of the 157 division, Stuart Cornelius and sophomore Lucas Pannell lost in the round of 64 bracket to Pleasant Grove and Sunnyside High Schools. In the consolation matches, Cornelius made it to the 32 consolation bracket, winning against Layton High School by 11-2 but losing to Mountain View 5-2. Meanwhile, Pannell made it to the 16 consolation bracket, losing to Wasatch 7-4 but previously winning against Granite Bay by 7-1 and Centennial by 5-0. Junior Dylan Pile beat Eagle High School with a takedown, scoring 2-0. He beat Grandview High School by 15-2, Reed High School by 19-4, Reno by takedown, scoring 4-0. However, St John Bosco beat him by 4-1, leading to Pile taking home silver in the 165 division. 

As the season is in full swing, the Wildcats wrestling team’s consistent hard work continues to pay off. They will compete in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League Finals on Feb. 3 at Wilcox High School. 

(Sources: FloArena, Flo Wrestling)