Gilroy wrestling’s Willie Fox and Martin Gonzalez earned the
status of All-American after taking second and fifth, respectively,
at the NHSCA National High School Wrestling Championships held last
week in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. – Gilroy wrestling’s Willie Fox and Martin Gonzalez earned the status of All-American after taking second and fifth, respectively, at the NHSCA National High School Wrestling Championships held last week in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Fox competed in the freshman division and went 5-1 in his matches to earn his first All-American honor at the high school level while also boosting his profile amongst the college coaches in attendance. Fox beat state champions from Alabama and Washington before falling to the Texas state champion in the finals, Gilroy High coach Greg Varela said. The hope is that the result will propel the freshman to greater things as his high school career continues.
“It sets him up so much; it sets him up for college,” Varela said. “The Naval Academy and a couple other college coaches asked about him.
“A weekend of hard work and placing so high actually sets him up for the next eight years – three years of high school and five years of college because they get that redshirt year.”
By taking fifth this year, Gonzalez, a GHS senior who won his second state title in a row in March, earned his second All-American award at Nationals. Last year, Gonzalez placed second in Virginia.
“In my opinion, it wasn’t a letdown in any way,” Varela said. “The field was stacked form head to toe with the future’s next stars.”
Gonzalez will be attending Cal-State Fullerton in the fall on a wrestling scholarship.
Luis Barragan was the third Mustang to attend the tourney, finishing 4-2, which was just one win short of earning All-American status. Barragan’s seeding was the toughest in the heavyweight class, Varela said, as he had to face two of the top four finishers.
“He lost to the guy who took first and he lost to the guy who took fourth,” Varela said. “Any other draw and he would have been in the medal round.”
GHS junior Jesse Delgado, a state champion for the first time in March, did not attend the event due to illness.
Other local wrestlers to compete in a national tournament recently included a long list of youngsters from the Gilroy Hawks club team. Taking on the nation’s best elementary and middle school wrestlers at the Reno Worlds this past weekend, nine Hawks took fifth place or higher, with Austin Gutierrez (40 pounds, 6-and-under age group) and Isaiah Locsin (80, 12-and-under) capturing national titles.
“I think they did excellent,” said Varela, who also coaches the Hawks. “I’m proud of them. They put in the time.
“I always use this as a measuring stick. At their age, I don’t really care too much about wins and losses. I just want to see how they handle themselves physically and perform under pressure.”
The result comes off an impressive showing at the California Kids Folk Style State Championships in March, when the Hawks had 17 medalists, 13 wrestlers in the finals and seven winning titles. Below are more Hawks results from Nationals and State:
NATIONALS:
Austin Gutierrez, 1st (40 pounds, 6-and-under); Isaiah Locsin, 1st (80, 12-U); Jose Andrade 2nd (140+, 10-U); Nico Villarreal, 3rd (120, 12-U); Joseph Barnes, 4th (85, 8-U); Antonio Andrade, 4th (110, 10-U); Jesse Vasquez, 5th (70, 12-U);
Leif Dominguez, 5th (92, 15-U);
Noe Garcia, 5th (130, 10-U); Nick Villarreal, 6th place (64, 8-U).
STATE:
Nick Villarreal, 1st (65 pounds, Bantam division); Isaiah Locsin, 1st (84, Schoolboy); Joe Barnes, 1st (87, Intermediate); Paul Fox, 1st (98, Schoolboy); Antonio Andrade, 1st (103, Intermediate); Nico Villarreal, 1st (120, Schoolboy); Juan Lopez, 1st (120+, Intermediate); Austin Gutierrez, 2nd (40, Bantam); Adam Mena, 2nd (87, Intermediate); Javin Aragon, 2nd (112, Novice); Jose Andrade, 2nd (140+, Novice).
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A brief in the April 10, 2009 edition incorrectly stated Jesse Delgado took second at Nationals. The Dispatch regrets this error. Please send all future corrections to sp****@************ch.com.
