Wrestling Team Ends Season Fourth in League, Qualifying 10 to CIF

KAYIU WONG
Staff Writer

The AHS wrestling team is typically one of the dominant powers during the winter season of Almont League.

The Moors faced a losing season for the first time in four years, ending with a record of 4-5. However, during their league finals on Feb. 1, the team fought hard in qualifying for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) preliminaries.

Held through a tournament process, league finals determined the top three athletes from each of the 14 wrestling weight classes throughout the six schools in Almont League. These athletes ultimately advance from Almont League to the first round of CIF games. From Alhambra, ten wrestlers qualified and will be advancing. From previous years, past performances made the Moors honorable contenders in CIF.

“The team really stepped up during finals. Everyone fought hard during their matches and I was surprised how tough they were performing.I am very proud of them […] I could tell they wanted a place in CIF,” captain Peter Sosa said.

Before the league championships, the team was victorious in the season’s last few matches. The Moors defeated the San Gabriel Matadors on Jan. 22 with a score of 57-18 and the Mark Keppel Aztecs on Jan. 29 with a score of 27-3.

Overall, the team concluded the season in fourth place behind Schurr, Montebello and Bell Gardens.

According to Head Coach Michael Williams, losing returners due to academic ineligibility and having a team comprised primarily of freshman this year were the two main challenges this season presented.

“As a team, we have grown up. They are better now than they were two months ago. We do have a long way to go, but the potential and diligence is there for next season,” Williams said.