San Benito ready to take on field as CCS Wrestling Championships
commence
Today is the day that the San Benito wrestling team has been waiting for all season–the start of the Central Coast Section Wrestling Championships.
After months of training–on the mat, in the weight room and on local running trails–and competition, the ‘Balers are ready to test themselves against the best of the best. Even more so than fellow winter sports basketball and soccer, wrestling revolves around the Sections–a two-day affair which begins this morning at Independence High School.
On the heels of a strong, second-place finish at the Tri-County Athletic League Championships two weeks ago, San Benito appeared capable of realizing its season-long goal of a top-four finish in CCS. But without the services of two of their top wrestlers, the ‘Balers will do well to finish in the top dozen.
San Benito head coach Matt Olejnik spoke of the fallout of losing Fernando Lucatero and Jesus Sagero this past week to academic ineligibility.
“That was a big blow for our team,” said Olejnik. “Losing those two guys, we won’t finish in the top ten. Our chances went out the window.”
With Lucatero expected to hold his own as the No. 5 seed in the 140-pound weight class and Sagero likely to score some victories and valuable points for San Benito, the ‘Balers had designs on pulling in just behind CCS favorites Gilroy, Fremont and Los Gatos.
“Giving up those points, a lot of people will have to step up,” said Olejnik, “and we don’t have the numbers anymore.”
Nevertheless, San Benito has plenty of remaining wrestlers that are eager to take center stage this weekend. Chief among the ‘Baler difference-makers will be senior Ryan Dunn.
After compiling an overall record of 34-0 on the season and surrendering just three escapes to his opponents, Dunn received the top seed in the 215-pound weight class. The ‘Balers’ leader heads into the Sections bearing the expectation that he will advance to the CIF State Championships next weekend.
“There’s a lot riding on this weekend,” said Olejnik of what Dunn is up against. “Now’s not the time to get a loss going into the State meet. If he comes out and wrestles well, wins the Section, he’s going to come to the State meet ready to go.”
Dunn’s toughest challenge appears likely to come from No. 2 Dustin Black, a senior from Scotts Valley. Black, a two-time runner-up at CCS, fell to Dunn in the pair’s only match, a 3-2 decision in the Silicon Valley Challenges in 2005.
Gilroy senior Daniel Gamez, the No. 4 seed, left no doubt about how the rest of the field feels about Dunn.
“He’s the guy to beat,” said Gamez, who lost to Dunn in the finals at the TCAL Championships.
San Benito’s other senior standout, Chris Mora, hopes to give Dunn some company next weekend in Bakersfield.
Olejnik knows Mora, the No. 6 seed in the 119-pound competition, will have his hands full trying to earn a top-four finish and a resulting trip to the CIF State Championships.
“That’s a tough weight class,” said Olejnik. “He’s going to have to beat some pretty darn good wrestlers to get to State. He’s going to have to wrestle his best tournament, but I think he can be there. I expect Mora to place in the top four. I expect that of him and I think he expects that of himself.”
‘Balers sophomore Armando Lerma qualified as the alternate seed in the 103-pound weight class and, according to Olejnik, looks ready to announce his arrival on the scene.
“He’s going to be a surprise,” said San Benito’s coach. “The one thing that will limit him is if he gets in his head that he’s a sophomore.”
Olejnik said the best way for his up-and-coming youngster to maximize his opportunity will be to win early and then take advantage of staying in the championship bracket.
“If he can get a couple of wins right off the bat, it makes for a short tournament,” said Olejnik.
As for the rest of San Benito’s 11 entrants, Olejnik said to look for Luis Boracio to turn some heads a year after finishing one match away from placing at the Sections.
“He’s a sleeper,” said Olejnik of his 130-pounder. “I expect him to come out and do something, to place in the top six.”
Recent history may be on Boracio’s side. After being unseeded at the Mid-Cal Classic last month, he wound up taking fourth.
All wrestlers weigh in at 8am this morning at Independence. The doors open to the public at 9am and the Championships begin at 10am.
The tournament continues at Overfelt High School tomorrow with the Championship Round 3 at 10am. The Championship Finals are set for 7:30pm.
