Despite the end of the tournament season, the Gabrielino boys’ wrestling team remains on an upward trend as they head towards the Mission Valley League Finals on Feb. 8, where they will have the chance to secure a spot in the CIF Championships.
The holiday break didn’t signal a “break” for the team. Instead, they were back on the mats on Dec. 26 for the annual Boys Blackwatch Tournament at Upland High School. Junior Arthur Dominguez stood out by being the only member making it to the second day of the competition.
“It’s definitely tougher competition here than what we get to see in league, but we’ve all been pushing ourselves in the room, and I’m happy I could be here to represent my team,” Dominguez said.
On Jan. 16, following a string of league losses, spirits were lifted with a win against Mountainview High School with a team score of 38-31.
“Losing week after week is never fun, so it feels good to break that streak,” commented junior Gabriel Beltran.
On Jan. 18, the junior varsity boys’ team competed at the Arroyo JV Last Chance tournament held at Rosemead High School. This season the team received many newcomers, including enthusiastic first-year wrestler Niko Tenki.
“The tournament was definitely a great learning experience. I do think I could have done better, but it happened, and I’m grateful I got to experience it with my team,” Tenki reflected. “I want to try to make it to CIF, but since I’m a first-year, who knows how that’s gonna go? I just want to make sure I give it my one hundred percent.
On Jan. 21, the boys faced off against the El Monte Lions, securing another league victory with a team score of 50-21.
On Jan. 24, the Eagles ended their tournament season with a bang, coming home with hardware from the Boys Trojan War Tournament at Hillcrest High School. The team earned five placers; seniors Ethan Low and Avery Tagle both secured 3rd place in their weight divisions, and juniors Arthur Dominguez, Nathan Zepeda, and Ismael Lopez placed 4th, 6th, and 6th, respectively.
“I’m really happy because this is my first time placing outside a Gabrielino tournament since I joined wrestling and I feel ecstatic, I had an upward momentum going the entire day, just working what I knew and we came out with a win,” Captain Ethan Low, smiling, said after winning his match.
The excitement wasn’t just coming from the athletes but was shared by the coaching staff.
“Our boys delivered this tournament. We have a lot of new guys this year that are just getting a feel for competing, but for my returners, they really stepped it up today, and that’s rewarding for me to see as a coach,” Head Coach Marcelino Ruiz commented.
On Jan. 28, the boys took on Rosemead High School for their last home dual and ended the season with a win of 40-32.
For senior Avery Tagle, the win was something extra special, attending extra club practices through Titan Mercury Wrestling Club alongside Low in addition to Gabrielinos regular team practice to constantly push their craft to the next level.
“It felt good, I’m glad to close out the season and especially my senior year with a win, and a pin at that,” Tagle said.
