Boys Succeed in Cross Town Rivalry Match Saul Ramirez Staff Writer
South El montes high school wrestling program is one of the best in the Mission Valley League. They call themselves “Team SAAS” or better known as student athletes achieving success. The boys surprised many in great ways because of how good they have been with the guidance of coach Ray. Their overall record including tournaments was 23 wins 6 losses and two ties. More importantly their season finished with a victory against the El Monte Lions, leaving them with a record of 4-1. The Eagles had lost a couple wrestlers during season due to injuries including Chris Castellanos, and Dario Barrales, it had an impact as a team because these two wrestlers made a difference. Polino sanchez started off the eagles with a big statement showing what the Eagles were all about, he was able to keep his opponent down most of the match and gained points off of being able to keep him there. Ernie Estrada, showing his strength and putting the match in his favor, made winning his opponent look easy as if anyone could do it. Although Dario Barrales came back from injuries, he looked healthy as he’s ever been, getting the quick pin on his opponent making the score 14-0. Aaron Salgado wrestled right after and got the quick pin as well, minutes later Ignacio Silva came in with all the momentum of seeing his fellow wrestlers get quick pins on their opponents, and was able to pin his challenger giving them 4 straight pins in a row. This match had people on their feet as many parents were cheering on and clapping with excitement as the final score was 60-12 Eagle victory over the Lions. 14 boys from the varsity squad are planning to take all this momentum up to CIF and be optimistic in qualifying for masters. They will have a good chance in masters if everyone wrestles good, both physically and mentally, it would be all Southern California Vs. Northern California. If our Eagle wrestlers do good in Masters they will be on their way to state finals. Based upon Coaches predictions they are ready for whatever is in their way, Eagle wrestlers are hungry for that state title.
Lady Eagles Wrestling Team Finishes with CIF Hopes Saul Ramirez Staff Writer
The Girls Wrestling Varsity team ended off their season at El Monte High School, but they weren’t done yet as they moved on to CIF next. All though,the lady Eagles lost this match, they didn’t make it easy for them as they showed how competitive they were individually.Having started with 23 ‘wrestlersets’ and ending off with only 10, had a bad impact as a team because they didn’t have the same amount of experienced wrestlers out there. However, that didn’t stop the lady Eagles from showing what they were truly made of, because of the loss of girls, it made them a young team with great talent and a lot to learn. Crystal Soto, and Cielo Portillo, the young and talented underclassmen of the varsity squad,will soon be the faces of girls wrestling for South El Monte High School. In the last season match against El Monte High School. Diamond Gomez started off the first match, even though she lost, she made her opponent work for it. Diamond Gomez is a great talented wrestler whom when it comes down to it,she puts in the work that she’s supposed to which is why she’s one of the top wrestlers of South El Monte High School. Jackie Esquibel put up the first points of the match against the Lions. She was very hard to defeat as she stood her ground the whole match, and used her physical abilities to bring her opponent down. These two girls have surprised the head coaches in many good ways, as they carried the team most of the season. Esquibel qualified for CIF and placed third, she was one of many to from South’s history to place in a CIF meet. Because of this astounding win it qualified her for masters. “It was a really good relief that I actually made it, because last year I needed one more match to make it but I didn't, so this year I did and it felt great” Said Esquibel, the way she has been wrestling in her matches shows that she's ready for anything thrown at her way. Confident enough that she will win in masters, and make it to state.