Wrestling Ignites With Great Enthusiasm for CIF Finals

WILLIAM RODRIGUEZ
Staff Writer

After long months of training, wins and losses, the regular wrestling season concluded at the 2015 Almont League Wrestling Finals on Jan. 31. The Moors ended their season with a record of 3-2. However, this last match determined the best individual wrestlers in the Almont League and who would qualify for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) finals.

In each of the 14 weight classes, only the top three finishers proceed to CIF and have the chance to advance further. At the conclusion of finals, it was decided that seven wrestlers would represent AHS at CIF. These wrestlers include sophomores Gabryel Valenzuela, Jonathan Gonzalez and Bobby Ramirez, juniors Ruben Enriquez, Eric Gonzalez and Michael Medina and senior Ethan Tavares. For some, CIF is not a new experience but the enthusiasm remains the same.

“[Qualifying for] CIF this year was great because I get to experience it again, [but as a] league champion compared to [a] second place finish last year,” sophomore Bobby Ramirez said.

Despite some being experienced with CIF, all of the qualifiers have been training daily with Head Coach Michael Williams, who has led the Moors through a positive season. CIF training consists of daily practices generally focusing on the specific weaknesses of each wrestler.

“Each wrestler is focusing on improving on their own weaknesses for CIF and it’s important that we stay healthy and confident for CIF,” junior captain Eric Gonzalez said.

Overall, the team finished third in the Almont League, a place higher than the performance displayed last season by the Moors. However, according to captain Eric Gonzalez, the team kept positive all throughout season and now it is time for each wrestler who advanced to focus on themselves. The CIF finals will take place on Feb. 20 and 21 at Lakeside High School.