 | | | Bottom row, from left: Max Flemming, Justin Joss; middle row: Jared Deloso, Owen Chang(C) Alexander Jang(C), Justin O'Camb, Justin Correll, Leo Zepada; standing: Sam Field, Joseph Santos, Deven Galang, Skylar Wright, Alec Gates, Zachary Francis, Ben Warren, Cristofer Holobetz, Aidan Kohr(C), Coach Jose Herrera Photos Andy Scheck | | | | | | Looking into Miramonte, Campolindo, or Acalanes' gyms this season, spectators will surely find teams of hardworking, dedicated wrestlers practicing with an aim at the NCS title. All three teams are filled with talented, experienced wrestlers, eager new players and underclassmen ready to prove themselves on the mat.
The Miramonte Matadors (1-2 in DFAL) are an upstart team filled with young and inexperienced athletes who are enthusiastic to improve their wrestling skills with help from seasoned upperclassmen and head coach Jose Herrera.
Last year, the Mats lacked upperclassman who could guide the new recruits. They had only one junior and no seniors.
"We had 14 returners and 12 new wrestlers-usually underclassmen," said Herrera. "We're young. A lot of these guys did not know what wrestling was until freshman year, so we started late, but we are catching up."
This year, however, the team is stronger behind the returners. Junior captain Alexander Jang and junior Justin Joss lead the team twenty wins apiece. Junior Sam Field has notched 17 wins.
The Mats are hopeful for a spot in the North Coast Section (NCS) tournament this year. Jang, Joss, and Field are poised to qualify.
The Mats recorded their first win of the dual-meet season against Acalanes. They suffered tough losses to Campolindo and Dublin.
"[Against Campolindo] we had one of the most exciting duels I've ever been a part of," said Herrera. "With one match left it was tied; we ended up losing, but we will see them next year."
The Mats return to action on Jan. 30 at Dougherty Valley.
Campolindo is having a strong season, despite a losing record. At 3-4 overall, the Cougars have already faced most of the DFAL's toughest teams including Dougherty Valley, which has "a good team, and that was a pretty tough match," said Campolindo head coach Bob McLaughlin "We are doing alright. Hopefully we can finish above 500."
Senior Jeremy Dumbar is having a career-best season with the Cougars. Fellow seniors Grant Smith and Jackson Wylie also lead the team in wins. They have an eye towards the NCS tournament.
Looking toward the rest of the season, Las Lomas and Dublin will be the toughest and most threatening competition. McLaughlin is confident that his team will take home the win against the Dons.
"We have done well in the NCS duels. In the past three years we've finished fourth, third, and fourth, so I would like to compete [this season]."
With a small roster, the Dons have yet to win a dual meet. At 0-4, Acalanes has to forfeit a majority of their matches.
The Dons possess skill, drive, and a much larger team than last year, but they still are not able to compete at the same level as bigger, more developed teams.
"Even though we often win the majority of matches, we haven't won a dual meet yet because we have to forfeit so many weight classes," said senior captain Brian Lilienstein. "We have one of the smaller teams in our league."
As the season progresses, the team hopes to get more participants in order to become a threat.
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| Bottom row, from left: Tomas Martinho, Grant Smith, John Monasevitch, Jaqueline Guelfi, Avery Novick. middle row: Logan MacDonald, Eric Monasevitch, Jason Pollock, Andrew Armen, Lorenzo Ruiz, Ronin McCobb; standing: Jeremy Dunbar, Keai Lucasey, Nathaniel Armen, Trevor Martinho, Ryan McCormick, Jackson Wiley, Sean Flannelly, Matt Lopresti |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA