Supervisor Mike Wasserman and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution on Tuesday, commending the Gilroy High School wrestling team for its record-breaking 2011-12 season, it was announced in a press release from the Supervisor’s office.
At the invitation of Supervisor Wasserman, head coach Greg Varela and coach Jason Villarreal, as well as several parents, accompanied the Mustangs to the March 20 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisor’s meeting where they received the Resolution.
The Mustangs were called to the podium and Supervisor Wasserman commended the coaches and each team member by name: Jesse Vasquez, Victor Daza, Victor Olmos, Paul Fox, Nikko Villarreal, Aaron Gonzalez, Willie Fox, Lupe Jimenez, Matt Penyacsek, Mark Penyacsek, Julian Carbajal, Frank Martinez, and Jose Lara.
“Coach, I am honored to present you and your team this Resolution signed by the Board of Supervisors,” Supervisor Wasserman said. “Thank you for representing Santa Clara County so very well on a county and state level.”
The Mustangs, who convincingly achieved their 10th consecutive Central Coast Section title last month, were also recognized in “Kudos Corner” in the Supervisor’s March newsletter.
“To be recognized by Santa Clara County is such an honor. Our sport is not glamorous and sometimes hard to understand just how difficult it is to win win one CCS title, let alone 10 in a row,” Varela said. “So to have the Board honor our team and show appreciation, not only for our victories, but for the sacrifices and commitment these kids have shown over a decade, was very special.
One week after the section meet, GHS sent six wrestlers to the CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield and advanced three to the finals – the most in program history. Senior Willie Fox and sophomore Nikko Villarreal won state titles. Paul Fox, wrestling with an injured collarbone, finished runner-up. As a team GHS took fifth. Villarreal’s last-second victory over three-time state champion Alex Cisneros of Selma earned him the tournament’s Champion of Champion’s award.
“I was especially honored that the board made it a point to mention the 11 ex-Gilroy High wrestlers we have in college right now as well as the six boys in our starting lineup of 14 who have a 4.0 GPA,” Varela said.
“I feel this wasn’t just for our team, it was for the city of Gilroy, which supports us 100 percent. This award is for Gilroy.”
