For Gilroy High freshmen Nico Naranjo and Rudy Maldonado,
Wednes-day
’s novice wrestling tournament was just a prelude to their first
varsity seasons on the mat.
For Gilroy High freshmen Nico Naranjo and Rudy Maldonado, Wednes-day’s novice wrestling tournament was just a prelude to their first varsity seasons on the mat.
In the lowest weight division, about 103 pounds, Naranjo, a three-time county champ at South Valley Jr. High, and Maldonado, a two-time county runner-up and second in state also with the Tigers, both easily made their way into the finals.
Up against a field of all first-year wrestlers from the Tri-County Athletic League, the two Gilroy Hawks club wrestlers only had themselves yet to beat.
“It’s different because they know your style, you know theirs,” said Maldonado, who bowed to his teammate in the weight class championship. “Same as always. Just an opponent. At practice, he’s a teammate, but on the mat, he’s an opponent.”
Naranjo took the title along with five other Mustangs, and both freshmen prospects are expected to make major contributions to the Gilroy High varsity squad this season.
Maldonado and Naranjo, who also won a weight class title in the Harbor JV Tournament last weekend, will both be in the garlic varsity line-up for the Coast Classic on Nov. 12-13 at Scotts Valley High School.
Eleven of 12 Mustang novice wrestlers placed in Wednesday’s event at Gilroy High School.
Along with Naranjo, the champions were: freshman Chris Raudes at 125 pounds; freshman Ismael Gutierrez at 133 pounds; Chris Krough at 119 pounds; freshman Chris Morin; and freshman Austin Gabrud.
Gilroy entered 23 wrestlers at the Harbor JV Tournament on Dec. 6 and 20 of them placed with 10 champions, six runner-ups, three thirds and one fourth among the 32-school field.
At Harbor High School, junior Randy Higashi won the 112-pound division, while Raudes bested the 125-pound field.
Junior Joseph Serrano claimed the 135-pound title at Harbor, while sophomore Mike Ayers brought home the 142-pound champion-ship.
Finishing off the Gilroy list of champions were sophomore Jose Andrade at 161 pounds, sophomore Joseph Delgado at 175 pounds, and sophomore Joe Esparza at 180 pounds.
