Wrestling gears up with CCS in mind

Junior Randy Jimenez and sophomore David Schuman work on setting up shots during practice.

The wrestling team hopes to exceed expectations after last year’s season. Last year, the team sent seven wrestlers to CCS and one wrestler, Duncan Tormey, ‘09, to state.

In addition, the team was undefeated at home and only lost once on the road, taking first place in the De Anza Division. It also placed first in the Bill Martell Tournament for the first time in 10 years.

Head Coach Randy Jimenez is very optimistic about the team’s chances of succeeding this year in leagues, CCS and state.

“We have a lot of good returning wrestlers,” Jimenez said. “[Team captain senior] Joey Buckley should do very well and may go to state. [Senior] Doug Tomlinson has been wrestling all four years and should go far in CCS.”

Since Jimenez took over as head coach, the team has steadily increased in size. The team had 17 or 18 wrestlers 3 years ago. This year, 26 wrestlers are on the team. Jimenez said the team has “more depth, more competition and more overall development.”

Jimenez also has confidence in the team’s younger wrestlers, who are “strong, fresh and fast learners.” He specifically mentioned freshman Tiana Le, county champion when she was in middle school, and junior Wesley Oribello.

“Last year I didn’t make CCS,” Wesley said. “This year I want to place, and maybe even get to state. We were one match away from being undefeated last year, so this should be a good season.”

Assistant Coach Marty Mathews is also confident that the team will go far in leagues and CCS this year.

“We want to win it all and send a lot [of wrestlers] to state,” Mathews said. “We have a lot of wrestlers with incredible potential, especially [sophomores] David Schuman, Ricardo Golzio and Todd Grimm. They’re getting more comfortable and settling in, and they’ll break through this year.”

Mathews also mentioned that the team puts some freshmen on the varsity team, something that few other schools in the league do.

“By putting freshmen on varsity, they get comfortable by their senior year and they’re able to do well,” Mathews said. “Other teams don’t do that, and their seniors are still getting used to varsity and don’t go as far.”

Last year was the third year in a row that the team sent wrestlers to state, which Mathews called “crazy.” He also said that home meets will be “pure destruction,” and that winning division is “in the bag.”

“We’re going to win leagues,” Jimenez said. “Our first tournament is coming up soon. The team is really prepared they’re hungry for competition and they want to win.”

The team’s first dual meet is on Thursday, December 17 at Monta Vista High School. Dual meets are held in the large gym, and their first home meet is on Thursday, January 14 against Milpitas High School.