New coach Brian DeCarli gets first-hand look at San Benito
wrestling team
HOLLISTER
The atmosphere at O’Donnell Gym on Tuesday night for the annual ‘Baler Challenges appeared to be laid back, despite what was at stake.
Wrestlers were sporting mesh shorts and T’s, headgear was optional for some, and even though this was a wrestling event, there was very little yelling from fans and coaches – a wrestling staple.
But although the San Benito matmen were on the floor for the first time this season, competing with some purpose for the first time this season, new head coach Brian DeCarli said it’s just a fun starting point.
“The concept behind it is, we have right now 83 wrestlers on the roster, and we need a challenge ladder so we and they can actually see where they kind of fall in the competition scale,” DeCarli said. “They’ll challenge pretty much every week before the tournament. So, the ladder is gonna change.”
DeCarli, 28, is taking over a Haybalers team that finished second in the Central Coast Section last year, edging St. Francis for the runner-up spot by a 151-140.5 point margin.
Originally from Salinas, DeCarli graduated from Palma in 1997, and wrestled mostly in the 165-pound weight division while competing at Fresno State.
He previously coached at Corcoran High School for one year.
With San Benito’s first scheduled meet the Fehlman/Baxter Tournament on Dec. 5 and 6, DeCarli expects his roster to increase over the next week to 90 or more wrestlers now that football season is officially over.
“My initial impression is just really positive,” DeCarli said after the ‘Baler Challenges. “We’ve been able to see them get out there and actually wrestle, outside of the little practice room. We’re throwing a lot of new stuff at them this year, so it’s fun to see them take it out and actually use it, or try to use it.”
DeCarli said there hasn’t been much live wrestling during practice. The rookie coach has been conducting “drill-heavy” practices instead, focusing on specific situations and particular moves.
And Tuesday’s ‘Baler Challenges was one of the first times DeCarli has been able to see those drills paying off.
“The moves are always the same, but I think you have your own individual style about how you coach and how you build it all up together,” DeCarli said. “It’s kind of fun to see them moving from one move to the next, without really thinking about it too much.”
Aside from the usual suspects, like Josh Ramirez, Enrique Lucatero and Junior Davila, DeCarli was impressed with his freshman and sophomore wrestlers.
“I like to see my young guys mixing it up,” DeCarli said.
With the season still young, though, 11 ‘Baler wrestlers put their names atop the first challenge ladder Tuesday, while three weight classes did not compete due to a lack of wrestlers, DeCarli said.
Ramirez (152 pounds), Lucatero (171) and Davila (119) each won their respective weight class, while varsity returnees David Bazan (112), Morris Stevens (125), Geo Coelho (135), Steven Borba (140) and Martin Garcia (285) claimed their position on the challenge ladder as well.
Raul Suarez at 103 pounds, Erik Henry at 130 and Joe Garcia at 160 pounds each claimed the remaining weight classes.
