he more consistent teams is the wrestling team. Last year, the team placed third at league, and 6th at CCS. In addition to placing at CCS, the team managed to send three wrestlers - Johnny Alonzo, Luis Cessa and Jovan Villalobos - to the CIF State Championships.
This year the team had several goals. The main goals were to get another CCS banner, a champion in CCS, and to compete at state. According to the coaches these can only be possibilities through hard work, something the team is familiar with. The Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling clubs go year round, where technique and discipline go hand in hand with the wrestlers. Sophomore Jovan Villalobos believes the team has the potential to send up to 5 to state. “It has to happen. It’s do or die this year.”
The team has something else to fight for as well. Eduardo “Lalo” Lopez’s season ended just before the season had started with a hit and run accident just outside of campus in late October. Ranked in the top 5 of CCS last year and again this year, his chances of making state were high again this year. Unfortunately, both years have ended through injury and the team continues to cope with the missing wrestler. Senior Chris Moreno said,” Things aren’t the same without him, the team isn’t the same without him.” Lopez has been wrestling Varsity since freshman year. ”Having trained hard over the summer, I was really looking forward to what was to be my best season. Sadly it was not meant to be. However, thanks to the help from my family, coaches and friends, I plan to be back on the mat by April.”
The wrestling schedule isn’t an easy one this year either. According to Oscar Mendez, “The wrestling schedule is as close as we can simulate it to state.” With wrestling tournaments spanning from the central valley to Reno, Nevada, the wrestling team put their skills to the test week after week. Such tournaments included the Chukchansi Invitational, Coast Classic, Sierra Nevada Classic, Apple Cider invitational, and Mid Cals. Following Mid Cals is TCAL, CCS, and State.
With only a few weeks left in the season, the team continues to improve and push. The team finished 4-2 in league, only losing to Palma and Gilroy. The team also pulled off good performances in Mid Cals, placing 11th overall in a tournament that is almost as tough as Mid Cals. Coach Jose Julio Garcia believes this is still preseason however. “This is all practice for TCAL and CCS and State. That’s the real season.” TCAL took place February 17 and CCS is February 24-25 in Independence High School, and the top 3 in each weight class get to compete in state on March 2-3 in Bakersfield. “We’re the dark horse once again and anything can happen for us. The team is coming along and ready to show up and surprise people that don’t see us coming,” said Garcia. Two wrestlers, Jovan Villalobos (152 lbs) and Oscar Mendez (160 lbs.), qualified for the State meet, finishing in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively in their weight classes.
Alongside the team is Brenda Mendiola. The junior became the first in Alisal history to make Girls’ State. She placed third in the 108 pound weight division. “She earned that. She earned her right to wrestle at state, to be the top 24 girls at state in her weight,” said Garcia. Since last year, Mendiola continued to drill in the offseason and whenever she got the chance. “I would drill before I went to bed,” she said. Mendiola will have to continue her hard work in preparation for next year, after going 0-2 in the State Meet at Leemore February 24-25 .