With a state champion on the other side of town, the 2012 Sobrato wrestling team, led by seniors Zach Zhang, Evan Enright, Thomas Burback and newcomer Albert Newman, expect to shift the spotlight to the Bulldogs this year.
So far after one tournament – which the Bulldogs took two individual championships – things look good for Sobrato.
“We were contenders in the league last year and we have the same guys in the lineup this year,” head coach Erik Lupercio said. “I’m hoping we can be in the top two of our league. That’s what we should have been last year.”
To do that, the Bulldogs have brought more wrestlers into the gym, expanding the roster from last year’s squad, Lupercio said. With a bigger team, the Bulldogs will have more depth and experience on the mat.
“It’s going to make the team a lot better,” he said. “It’s going to have everyone competing for a spot on the varsity roster. People are coming out and challenging the returnees. They are challenging for their spots. We want to keep that connection in the room to keep pushing forward and working hard as a team.”
In last year’s Blossom Valley Athletic League finals, the Bulldogs placed eighth but with so much talent, Lupercio expects much more this winter, he said.
“I’m happy with what we are doing,” he said. “I’m hoping to build on last year. I want to get a league title for Sobrato.”
That championship run will start with those that have been around the program for years.
The Sobrato junior Burback is expected to be one of the Bulldogs to take a giant leap in 2012. After finishing third in the Bulldogs season-opening tournament at the Webber Lawson Memorial in Fremont earlier this month, Burback is looking forward to becoming a leader in the wrestling room, he said.
“This year, we have a pretty strong team,” said Burback, who is entering his sixth year wrestling. “We have a lot of new kids coming out. It’s looking really good. I think we have a really good shot at league. It’s going to be a strong team. We should be able to do really good with our varsity team and our J.V. team.”
He continued: “We just got to work on getting better and encouraging the kids to live up to what they can do. We can go to CCS and win. It’s out there now. It’s something that’s doable.”
And Zhang carries some of the highest expectations for the Bulldogs in 2012. After earning a spot in the CCS playoffs a year ago, Zhang believes a top-three finish is in his future, he said.
“It’s definitely going to be a good year,” he said. “I had a solid offseason. And two weeks ago was a great start … I definitely want to get to state and finish in the top three at CCS. That’s a big goal for me.”
After gaining more than 20 pounds of muscle because of football, Zhang is in better shape as he tries to lose the weight, he said.
“I have more experience by working out the little kinks and learn the game more,” he said. “I’m a better weight this year and in better shape. I had a good offseason and I have more tricks in the bag.”
Lupercio expects Zhang and Burback to be at the top of the podium each and every meet, he said. And along with Enright and Newman, they are carrying their success into practice.
“They bring a lot of leadership,” Lupercio said. “With all four of these guys up there as upperclassmen, the underclassmen see what it takes and see how they work among each other. They are workout partners for each other. You can see them in practice in how hard they are going and working. They are all pushing each other.”
Newman might be the Bulldogs’ biggest wildcard. A transfer from Vista Del Lago in Folsom, Newman brings a lot of experience and success to Sobrato. His transfer paperwork is still processing but the Bulldogs expect him to compete soon.
And Newman sees a lot of potential in the Bulldogs, he said.
“I think it’s good,” he said. “I think it’s good as anyone can hope for. This is still a brand new program and they are trying to build it up. I have greatest expectations for this team. I believe we can get most of the varsity lineup to be ranked in the CCS this year.”
The Bulldogs season continues Saturday in the Morning Star Invitational in Los Banos. Look online for an update.
