Luck had nothing to do with Gilroy High clinching its seventh
straight Central Coast Section title in wrestling Saturday night at
Independence High School.
If anything, the Mustangs worked harder this season than ever
before to overcome injuries, illness and inexperience to beat
second-place St. Francis, a school Gilroy coaches viewed as the
favorite going into the tournament.
Martin Gonzalez sealed the GHS team victory by beating Riordan’s
Nick Mazza 5-1 in the 127-pound final, sending his father and
coach, Armando Gonzalez, out on a high note to end his career as
head coach of the Mustangs.
SAN JOSE – Luck had nothing to do with Gilroy High clinching its seventh straight Central Coast Section title in wrestling Saturday night at Independence High School.
If anything, the Mustangs worked harder this season than ever before to overcome injuries, illness and inexperience to beat second-place St. Francis, a school Gilroy coaches viewed as the favorite going into the tournament, by a score of 172-161.
Martin Gonzalez sealed the GHS team victory by beating Riordan’s Nick Mazza 5-1 in the 127-pound final, sending his father and coach, Armando Gonzalez, out on a high note for his CCS career as head coach of the Mustangs. Assistant Greg Varela will be taking over the program next season.
“I want to send him out with a state title,” said Martin Gonzalez, a state champion last year at 119 pounds, minutes after Saturday’s match. “I want to get him in the spotlight. I wouldn’t be anywhere without him.”
Coach Gonzalez, who put seven fingers in the air after his son’s victory to let the crowd recognize what had just been accomplished, approached Martin after the victory and told him, “I’m very proud of you, young man,” before giving his son a kiss on the cheek.
Two matches earlier, GHS junior Jesse Delgado won his third career CCS title by pinning Palma’s Jarron Ramirez 48 seconds into the second round. Mustangs senior Luis Barragan lost his finals match against Silver Creek’s Richard Segovia 3-1 in the final seconds, while GHS freshman Willie Fox lost his finals match against St. Francis’ Jorge Barajas 10-4.
What makes the unprecedented streak of seven CCS titles in a row perhaps even more amazing is Gilroy coaches actually saw it coming and made good on their plan.
“Ten years ago, [assistant Mike Koester and I] we’re looking at our young guys and we said, ‘We could win seven in a row,'” Armando Gonzalez said.
With only Martin Gonzalez and Mike Penyascek graduating this summer, the program is set to possibly continue the CCS streak into the double digits.
“This team has been the youngest, most inexperienced I’ve ever coached,” Armando Gonzalez said. “As the season progressed – god bless these kids – they’ve all improved.
“After getting past this year, we’re gonna be set the next few years.”
Pulling together points from wrestlers not in the finals was key to Gilroy’s success.
Vincent Aboytes, seeded second at 154 pounds, suffered the biggest upset of the tournament, falling in the first round of competition. Realizing he could still help his team, though, Aboytes overcame the adversity to finish in fifth place.
“It’s easy to win,” Varela said. “It’s losing that’s hard.
“It takes a lot of character to lose like that and come back.”
Mike Penyascek also showed he was a team player for GHS, scoring eight points through a pin in his first and only victory.
After being severely injured in a life-threatening car accident a few years ago, Penyascek’s climb back to normalcy – in which he had to re-learn how to walk – and now contributing to a CCS victory has been extraordinary.
“The car accident, everything broken – he still has rods in his legs,” Varela said. “He made the most of it. He did something he’s gonna remember the rest of his life.”
Rodney Balajadia, a natural 127-pounder, also showed his commitment to the team by competing in the 132-pound division and taking third place.
Balajadia, Fox, Delgado, Martin Gonzalez and Barragan will be wrestling at state in Bakersfield March 6-7.
Armando Gonzalez noted that Gilroy wrestlers like Benjamin Torricier, Jasmine Yanez and Fox, amongst others, made the seventh CCS crown possible.
Varela countered that the coach who he will be replacing full time next season was an inspiration to everyone involved in the program.
“The guys said, ‘We’re not sending ‘Mondo out with second place,’ ” Varela said.
FULL RESULTS
103 – Jasmine Yanez’s place is unknown and has scored 1.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Andres Vargas (Santa Teresa) 2-2 won by pin over Jasmine Yanez (Gilroy) 1-2 (Pin 4:04)
Cons. Round 1 – Jasmine Yanez (Gilroy) 1-2 won by decision over Brian Robles (Mitty) 0-2 (Dec 2-0)
Cons. Round 2 – Tony Nguyen (Andrew Hill) 4-2 won by decision over Jasmine Yanez (Gilroy) 1-2 (Dec 7-5)
112 – Jesse Delgado’s place is 1st and has scored 34.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Jesse Delgado (Gilroy) 5-0 won by pin over Mohommed Sharfi (Cupertino) 1-2 (Pin 3:05)
Champ. Round 2 – Jesse Delgado (Gilroy) 5-0 won by pin over Giovanni Aliotti (Monterey) 1-2 (Pin 0:43)
Quarterfinal – Jesse Delgado (Gilroy) 5-0 won by pin over Warrick Africa (Fremont) 2-2 (Pin 1:18)
Semifinal – Jesse Delgado (Gilroy) 5-0 won by pin over Jack Hogan (Los Gatos) 5-1 (Pin 1:29)
1st Place Match – Jesse Delgado (Gilroy) 5-0 won by pin over Jarron Ramirez (Palma) 4-1 (Pin 3:48)
119 – Willie Fox’s place is 2nd and has scored 26.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Willie Fox (Gilroy) 4-1 won by pin over Tony Morales (Live Oak) 1-2 (Pin 5:43)
Champ. Round 2 – Willie Fox (Gilroy) 4-1 won by pin over Roland Abanico (Monterey) 1-2 (Pin 1:53)
Quarterfinal – Willie Fox (Gilroy) 4-1 won by pin over Joshua Go (Overfelt) 3-2 (Pin 0:35)
Semifinal – Willie Fox (Gilroy) 4-1 won by decision over Junior Davilla (San Benito) 5-1 (Dec 10-8)
1st Place Match – Jorge Barajas (St. Francis) 5-0 won by decision over Willie Fox (Gilroy) 4-1 (Dec 10-4)
125 – Martin Gonzalez’s place is 1st and has scored 29.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Martin Gonzalez (Gilroy) 5-0 won by pin over Andrew Perez (Mitty) 0-2 (Pin 1:31)
Champ. Round 2 – Martin Gonzalez (Gilroy) 5-0 won by pin over Luis Cessa (Greenfield) 1-2 (Pin 1:31)
Quarterfinal – Martin Gonzalez (Gilroy) 5-0 won by tech fall over Garun Arustamov (Cupertino) 3-2 (TF 21-5)
Semifinal – Martin Gonzalez (Gilroy) 5-0 won by decision over Anthonie Linares (Oak Grove) 4-2 (Dec 9-4)
1st Place Match – Martin Gonzalez (Gilroy) 5-0 won by decision over Nick Mazza (Riordan) 4-1 (Dec 5-1)
130 – Rodney Balajadia’s place is 3rd and has scored 19.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Rodney Balajadia (Gilroy) 5-1 won by major decision over Marcel Schwager (Los Gatos) 6-2 (Maj 8-0)
Champ. Round 2 – Rodney Balajadia (Gilroy) 5-1 won by decision over Trevor Borello (Leigh) 2-2 (Dec 6-0)
Quarterfinal – Rodney Balajadia (Gilroy) 5-1 won by decision over Justin Hazen (Santa Cruz) 2-2 (Dec 7-3)
Semifinal – Albert Gaxiola (Mitty) 4-1 won by decision over Rodney Balajadia (Gilroy) 5-1 (Dec 7-5)
Cons. Semi – Rodney Balajadia (Gilroy) 5-1 won by decision over Jesse Vera (Soledad) 4-3 (Dec 7-1)
3rd Place Match – Rodney Balajadia (Gilroy) 5-1 won by pin over Marcel Schwager (Los Gatos) 6-2 (Pin 3:35)
135 – Mike Lucero’s place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Marcus Gebhardt (San Mateo) 5-1 won by decision over Mike Lucero (Gilroy) 0-2 (Dec 6-4)
Cons. Round 1 – Mike Lucero (Gilroy) 0-2 received a bye (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Ryan Sarmiento (Palma) 2-2 won by pin over Mike Lucero (Gilroy) 0-2 (Pin 4:35)
140 – Adam Rosso’s place is unknown and has scored 4.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Adam Rosso (Gilroy) 1-2 won by pin over Carlos Iglesias (Watsonville) 0-2 (Pin 1:59)
Champ. Round 2 – Steven Fernandez (Live Oak) 2-2 won by pin over Adam Rosso (Gilroy) 1-2 (Pin 3:09)
Cons. Round 2 – Nathan Fuller (Monterey) 2-2 won by decision over Adam Rosso (Gilroy) 1-2 (Dec 4-0)
145 – Felix Gonzalez’s place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Hermen Artega (Monterey) 3-2 won by tech fall over Felix Gonzalez (Gilroy) 0-2 (TF 16-0)
Cons. Round 1 – Ryan Oshima (Palo Alto) 1-2 won by decision over Felix Gonzalez (Gilroy) 0-2 (Dec 15-8)
152 – Vincente Aboytes’s place is 5th and has scored 14.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Sebastian Chene (Leigh) 3-3 won by pin over Vincente Aboytes (Gilroy) 6-2 (Pin 5:00)
Cons. Round 1 – Vincente Aboytes (Gilroy) 6-2 won by pin over Jesus Servin (Alisal) 0-2 (Pin 1:31)
Cons. Round 2 – Vincente Aboytes (Gilroy) 6-2 won by decision over Arsen Stus (El Camino) 0-2 (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Round 3 – Vincente Aboytes (Gilroy) 6-2 won by tech fall over Ryan Brewer (Sobrato) 2-2 (TF 16-0)
Cons. Round 4 – Vincente Aboytes (Gilroy) 6-2 won by major decision over Mike Sarmiento (Palma) 2-2 (Maj 15-3)
Cons. Round 5 – Vincente Aboytes (Gilroy) 6-2 won by decision over Max Simon (Palo Alto) 3-2 (Dec 8-1)
Cons. Semi – John Maschio (Monterey) 5-1 won by decision over Vincente Aboytes (Gilroy) 6-2 (Dec 7-6)
5th Place Match – Vincente Aboytes (Gilroy) 6-2 won by decision over Sebastian Chene (Leigh) 3-3 (Dec 8-4)
160 – Benjamin Torricier’s place is unknown and has scored 10.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Benjamin Torricier (Gilroy) 3-2 won by pin over Alex Benko (Scotts Valley) 0-2 (Pin 4:16)
Champ. Round 2 – Patrick Sheehan (Palo Alto) 4-1 won by major decision over Benjamin Torricier (Gilroy) 3-2 (Maj 12-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Benjamin Torricier (Gilroy) 3-2 won by pin over Daniel Garcia (Seaside) 1-2 (Pin 1:50)
Cons. Round 3 – Benjamin Torricier (Gilroy) 3-2 won by pin over Calvin Nicholls (SSF) 2-2 (Pin 0:57)
Cons. Round 4 – Juan Haro (Alisal) 3-2 won by pin over Benjamin Torricier (Gilroy) 3-2 (Pin 2:55)
171 – Michael Penyascek’s place is unknown and has scored 6.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Raul Rauda (SSF) 3-2 won by decision over Michael Penyascek (Gilroy) 2-2 (Dec 4-3)
Cons. Round 1 – Michael Penyascek (Gilroy) 2-2 received a bye (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Michael Penyascek (Gilroy) 2-2 won by pin over Noah DeLaCruz (Pajaro Valley) 0-2 (Pin 4:00)
Cons. Round 3 – Jeff Tran (Milpitas) 5-3 won by decision over Michael Penyascek (Gilroy) 2-2 (Dec 12-6)
215 – Alfredo Mireles’s place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Juniel Morales (Oak Grove) 4-2 won by pin over Alfredo Mireles (Gilroy) 0-2 (Pin 0:51)
Cons. Round 1 – Alfredo Mireles (Gilroy) 0-2 received a bye (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Joey Lopez (Serra) 4-3 won by pin over Alfredo Mireles (Gilroy) 0-2 (Pin 2:08)
285 – Luis Barragan’s place is 2nd and has scored 28.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Luis Barragan (Gilroy) 4-1 won by pin over Tony Lozano (Oak Grove) 4-2 (Pin 1:03)
Champ. Round 2 – Luis Barragan (Gilroy) 4-1 won by pin over Emmanuel Scott (Evergreen Valley) 4-2 (Pin 3:52)
Quarterfinal – Luis Barragan (Gilroy) 4-1 won by pin over James Gonzales (Serra) 2-2 (Pin 0:34)
Semifinal – Luis Barragan (Gilroy) 4-1 won by pin over Evan Swenson (Palma) 4-2 (Pin 2:48)
1st Place Match – Richard Segovia (Silver Creek) 5-0 won by decision over Luis Barragan (Gilroy) 4-1 (Dec 3-1)
