By: Maricela Powers

15 December, 2016

It’s time to hit the mats and start pinning people down for this year’s wrestling season! Starting off from last season, which ended in a huge victory with seven state-qualifiers and one of them being first place. Now the team wishes to take the Skyline Conference and place in the top three of regional’s. However, the team might struggle because a couple of wrestlers who went to state, especially Nevina Deluca, have graduated and retired from Phoenix High School wrestling. This issue will not stop Coach Joel Gibson who will lead the team once again and fight on for victory.

Just like any other sport, practice is crucial. Each wrestler has to make sure they show up and participate during practice or else they will not be able to compete. Practice for them is everyday after school for two hours. Some routines they practice are pinning combinations. These are the goals of wrestlers because to win is to pin someone down on the ground and hold them there. They must practice this a lot because it is one of the keys to success in a matchup. Another thing they do during practice is make sure their shots are right. Shots are when a wrestler goes in to pin someone down and win. By making sure their shots are correct, they have to strike their opponent in the right direction and area, which is critical and also leads to victory.

Furthermore on Friday December 2nd, there was a home tournament at Phoenix High School from 11am to 3pm. Competing were: Phoenix, Eagle Point, Ashland, and Illinois Valley.

During the tournament, the team did very well. Most of the results have not been released, however, it is known that Ismael De La Torre, Jonathan Halligan, Jack Hawkins, and Dalton Samis all went 4-1. This is a good start for the team!

Additionally, Brandon Brumble, who went 7-8 last year, was competing at the tournament. This is his third year competing for the Phoenix High School wrestling team. When asking him who the best on the team is, Brumble says “Everyone on the team is equally good,” as proven from some results from the tournament, “But if I had to choose the best wrestler here it’d be Emma Truex”. Emma Truex is a new wrestler at Phoenix High School. She is a freshman and the school wishes her luck on her first season here!

Lastly, this year for wrestling will definitely be a challenge for the wrestlers. With some state champions gone, the team will have to work a little harder. However, if newcomers like Emma Truex can excel throughout the season, the team should be fine. All of the students at Phoenix High School hope for the best this year and should support the wrestlers at their next tournament on December 15 at the school from 6:30 to 7:30!