Gilroy – For 25 years, some of the best wrestling teams in California have traveled to Gilroy High to compete at the Mid-Cal Classic.
And for 25 years, one of those visiting teams has left with the tournament title.
But 2006? This could be the first year the team title stays in Gilroy.
With the Mustangs coming off a 314-point first-place performance last weekend at the Overfelt Classic, the Gilroy coaches were already feeling good after practice Monday night. The team crowned six individual champions and had just blown away Fremont, ranked second in the state.
“We have a really good shot at winning (Mid-Cals),” said Gilroy assistant coach Mike Koester. “I don’t believe we’ve ever won.”
Added head coach Armando Gonzalez, agreeing, “This is our best chance to win.”
For the first time this season, Gilroy will have its entire roster healthy including No. 2 state-ranked team captain Armando Gonzalez (143 pounds). The Fresno State-bound Gonzalez has been out with a neck injury since late December.
“At this point in the year, we don’t have a hanging nail,” said coach Gonzalez, whose squad was the runner-up to Elk Grove at last year’s Mid-Cals. “We are completely healthy today.”
Gilroy, however, will have to get past a few other state powers to get to the top once all is said and done on Saturday. Among the 51 teams in the field is Foothill (Palo Cedro) and Centennial (Bakersfield). The field also includes 10 wrestlers who placed at last year’s state finals.
In addition to senior Armando Gonzalez, the Mustangs have four other No. 1 seeds: Nico Naranjo (115 pounds), Tim Ibañez (122) and Adin Dueñas (138).
Hollister rival San Benito has attended just about every Mid-Cal Classic that has been held. The ‘Balers’ senior 215-pounder Ryan Dunn (19-0) is a No. 1 seed.
“It’s a very big tournament,” said San Benito head coach Matt Olejnik. “What’s good about it is people in other regions come in and check out the community and now that Gilroy is so tough in wrestling, there’s a good pride factor associated with the tournament.”
For CCS teams, the tournament is one of the last opportunities for teams to see where they stack up with the section’s top competition.
“Basically, there’s a good chance you’ll do well in section if you win here,” said Sobrato head coach Phil Luna.
The first-year Bulldogs coach, who has been to the Mid-Cal Classic before as the coach at Willow Glen, said doing well at the tournament can even boost a team’s seeding at the state tournament.
Friday’s action starts at 10am in both gymnasiums at Gilroy high. On Saturday, matches start at 9:30am.
