Michael Camacho, Miguel Puga, Matt Ramon and Michael Guzman are the top returners for a San Benito High wrestling team that has hopes of challenging state powerhouse Gilroy for the Monterey League Bay Gabilan Division championship.
Camacho, a senior, advanced to the CIF State Championships last season at 182 pounds. Puga is the defending league champion at 220, while Guzman and Ramon both took third in league last year in the 126 and 152-pound divisions, respectively. All four wrestlers trained hard in the off-season, knowing they would have to improve to compete at a higher level in the ultra-competitive Gabilan Division, which is the strongest league in the section.
“Michael busted his butt in the off-season,” Balers coach Steven Salcedo said. “He took fourth in a Greco Roman state tournament and pinned some really high caliber kids. That guy really hasn’t had a chance to breathe with his football commitments as well. But I don’t think he wants to rest—I think he enjoys the grind.”
Ramon and Puga both went 1-2 and 0-2, respectively, in the CCS Championships last season, giving the wrestlers plenty of motivation to improve in the off-season. Ramon, who will wrestle either at 160 or 170 pounds, had a breakthrough season a year ago.
Like Camacho, Ramon juggled football and wrestling commitments in the off-season. He took first in a pair of freestyle tournaments, learning an assortment of different moves along the way. Ramon also got quicker and more confidence in his shots.
“I feel my technique is better, but I still have more to learn,” said Ramon, who had two uncles that wrestled for Gilroy High. “I’m more confident in my shots. I’m better physically and mentally.”
The physical and mental aspects of wrestling intertwine, as one cannot be mentally tough if they haven’t put in the time to develop into tip-top physical shape.
“The mental aspect is very important because if someone breaks down mentally, they will lose the match,” Ramon said. “I feel I’m mentally strong because our practices make you tough.”
Despite juggling two sports, Ramon spent months wrestling in the off-season, and his passion for wrestling is second to none.
“Matt wanted to wrestle with us during football season,” Salcedo said. “When they had a bye (week), I had to shoo him away from practice.”
Coming off a league title at 220 pounds, Puga has some big goals this season, starting with a podium finish in the section championships.
“I went 0-2 in CCS last year,” he said. “I just choked. It was a learning experience that has prepared me to do better the next time I’m there.”
Like Ramon, Puga plans on getting in supreme physical shape, knowing it will pay off in the biggest matches.
“They can’t beat you if you’re never tired,” Puga said.
For most wrestlers, conditioning pays off in the form of increased confidence. If a wrestler is not confident in his ability to go the distance, he won’t take as many shots or be as effective with his shots.
“You’re afraid to waste energy or you don’t have the confidence to do it,” Puga said. “But if you’re conditioning is strong, you feel like you can take down anyone.”
Puga started wrestling as a sixth grader at Rancho San Justo, dominating opponents until he got called up to the varsity team in his freshman year.
“I knew I needed to learn, so I accepted the move up,” he said. “I thought I was pretty good until all the losses came. It was a good experience because it made me a little more humble, and I realized I needed to work harder than anyone else.”
