Paul Fox takes first in 112-pound freshman division at NHSCA
championships
The youth movement on the Gilroy High wrestling team took another step in the right direction at the 2011 National High School Coaches Association championships in Virgina Beach last weekend.
A top-eight finish at the prep national championships equals All-American status and five Mustangs fit the bill.
“We had a great showing,” GHS head coach Greg Varela said Thursday as he and members of the team made their way to Reno for the season’s final meet this weekend. “They threw down. It was awesome.”
Varela added that the five All-American tags are the most Gilroy has had at one of the NHSCA tournaments.
Freshman Paul Fox, who finished eighth at last month’s CIF State Championships and a wrestler Varela has pegged as one to keep an eye on over the next three years, validated his coaches claims, posting a perfect 5-0 record to claim first in the 112-pound freshman division.
California’s bronze medal winner at 125 pounds, freshman Nikko Villarreal, took third in the freshman division in same weight class at nationals. Sophomore Leif Dominguez placed third at 103 pounds, junior Willie Fox battled for third at 130 and junior Blake Kastl, who took fourth in Bakersfield last month, produced a fourth place at 145 pounds.
