There are two points in the season that Gilroy wrestling wants
to be its absolute best. One is the CIF state championships at the
end of the year. The other is today and tomorrow at the Reno
Tournament of Champions.
Reno
There are two points in the season that Gilroy wrestling wants to be its absolute best. One is the CIF state championships at the end of the year. The other is today and tomorrow at the Reno Tournament of Champions.
“It’s the biggest tournament that we go to,” GHS coach Armando Gonzalez said. “We peak for the state meet at the end of the year, but we also peak at the beginning of the year for this tournament. This is one of the plateaus that we try to get ready for.”
Competing in the Reno TOC for the fourth straight year, the expectation level continues to be set incredibly high. In 2005, Gilroy had three wrestlers place, which is achieved with a top-eight finish. Last year, Hunter Collins and Jesse Delgado placed first and fifth, respectively, with the team taking 18th place. This season, the Mustangs are hoping for as many as four placers, which would be a school record at this particular tournament.
“I’m not sure how were going to do,” Gonzalez admitted. “Three or four placers would be really great. That would be absolutely hitting on all cylinders.”
Those four possible placers include Delgado, Collins, Martin Gonzalez and Jesse Rogers. Martin, who is coach Gonzalez’ son, was one win away from placing last season.
Taking eight wrestlers total, Rodney Balajadia, Vincent Aboytes, Travis Sokomoto and Luis Barragan round out the bunch.
Placing, or even becoming an All-American through a top-three finish, will be anything but easy, though. A tournament such as this one has clout for a reason. While Gilroy is a powerhouse in the state of California, the TOC features many of the best wrestlers in the country.
Doing well this week would be a huge boost in confidence for the Mustangs going forward with the rest of the season.
“We dominated the Coast Classic (this past weekend),” coach Gonzalez said. “The intensity level there was nothing to what it is here. Four placers here would be the best performance we’ve ever put out.”
