As I stood and watched the last two matches of the Central Coast
Section Finals at Independence High School, I felt a tap on my
shoulder.
As I stood and watched the last two matches of the Central Coast Section Finals at Independence High School, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was long-time wrestling coach Charles Ogle. He said, ‘must feel nice?’.
I knew exactly what he meant.
For once, Gilroy was the best and, of all the media groups represented at Saturday’s championship round, I felt like I was above the rest. Anyone who needed an inside on the Mustang matmen – I was the reporter to turn to because The Dispatch is Gilroy’s hometown paper and I had followed this special group from day-one.
Like many in the garlic circle know, I’ve been waiting for this day since my arrival in January of 2001. Finally, a CCS Champion. There have been some close ones over the two years I’ve walked the Gilroy sidelines – including the Andrea Bunten-led softball team that fell in the semifinals and last year’s Cinderella boys hoops squad that lost in the quarterfinals.
But somehow – it being the Gilroy High wrestling team – just felt right.
I can remember one of my first times covering the Gilroy grapplers at a dual meet in Hollister. That’s when I first met head coach Armondo Gonzalez – a true sportsman and dedicated leader. Gilroy should be thankful to have a coach of his caliber on board. The Mustangs lost that match to Hollister – but Coach Gonzalez knew his time would come.
It did this season with the arrival of his son – freshman Armondo Gonzalez – and fellow freshman standout Adin Duenas, as well as senior transfer Danny San Juan. All three additions solidified an already experienced line-up. I would say veteran – but 10 will be back next season.
Pre-season No. 1 can sometimes be a jinx – but not for these Mustangs. My first indication that this could be the team was when the Mustangs returned from the Sierra Nevada Classic with the tournament’s team championship. There were 96 high school programs spanning six states and Gilroy came out on top. Wow!
After going undefeated through its league schedule, including a 54-7 thrashing of defending section champ Hollister in Hollister, Gilroy dominated at the Tri-County Athletic League Finals – becoming the league’s inaugural champions with 10 individual champs. Big wow!
But CCS was next – bringing together the top wrestlers and programs in the entire section. Could the Mustangs pull through or would they fall just short? That question was quickly answered as Gilroy all but sealed the CCS Championship by the semifinal round. Huge wow!
Gilroy’s 213 team points was unheard-of in a section meet – but if you’re going to win, might as well win convincingly. While every member of the team is a champion in every sense of the word, there were four Mustang weight class champions – junior John Gurich at 103s, freshman Armondo Gonzalez at 119s, senior Danny San Juan at 125s, and junior Mark Zabala at 171s.
Now six wrestlers – including freshman Adin Duenas (second in CCS) and junior Chad Haygood (third in CCS) – are headed to the CIF State meet with even bigger goals in mind.
After the top six placers in each weight class at CCS got their turn on the pedestal, the team champions were announced. Fourth place Bellarmine. Third place Silver Creek. Second place Los Gatos… First place Gilroy.
I didn’t do anything to get them there, but somehow I felt part of it all. I felt the Gilroy pride just as it was fuming out of each and every one of the Mustangs as they held up their championship plaque.
So, yes Coach Ogle, it does feel nice.
