It’s called the toughest high school wrestling tournament in the
nation for a reason: No matter how big or small the school you come
from, it’s you against a field that is only divided by weight
class.
”
It’s such a tough tourney you can’t overlook anybody,
”
Gilroy High senior Martin Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez is one of five wrestlers GHS is sending to compete at
today and Saturday’s CIF State Championships at Rabobank Arena in
Bakersfield.
There’s a small chance of a team title for the Mustangs, which
at first appears highly unlikely, but considering the strength of
the five attending the meet, nothing is impossible.
BAKERSFIELD – It’s called the toughest high school wrestling tournament in the nation for a reason: No matter how big or small the school you come from, it’s you against a field that is only divided by weight class.
“It’s such a tough tourney you can’t overlook anybody,” Gilroy High senior Martin Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez is one of five wrestlers GHS is sending to compete at today and Saturday’s CIF State Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
There’s a small chance of a team title for the Mustangs, which at first appears highly unlikely, but considering the strength of the five attending the meet, nothing is impossible. If Gonzalez and junior Jesse Delgado – both are ranked No. 1 in the 114 and 127-pound divisions, respectively – win state titles, senior Luis Barragan (287 pounds) places in the top three and junior Rodney Balajadia (132) and freshman Willie Fox (121) do damage in the early rounds by splitting, say, their first four matches, the Mustangs could do better than the second-place showing of last season, the highest in GHS history.
“It’s a possibility this year, for sure,” Gonzalez said. “But two champions is rare.”
Gonzalez and GHS alum Hunter Collins, who is now on scholarship and redshirting at the University of Michigan, pulled it off last year. No one is hoping for it to happen again this year more than Gonzalez, who was congratulated by Delgado – a two-time third-place finisher – quickly after his season-ending win.
“[Delgado’s] my workout partner, we push each other,” Gonzalez said. “So, of course, we want nothing more than to see each other win it.”
Delgado said he is feeling like now is his time.
“I’m probably more mentally strong, more mentally prepared,” he said.
Barragan is also more prepared for state this season after dropping over 30 pounds due to non-stop conditioning over the summer. Since taking second place in the section finals two weeks ago, Barragan knows he’ll once again be facing Silver Creek’s Richard Segovia, the wrestler who denied him back-to-back Central Coast Section titles this season with a late takedown.
“To place at state I know I’m gonna have to wrestle him again,” Barragan said. “Since CCS I’ve stepped up my training a whole other level.”
