If the Doc Buchanan Invitational is any indication of the state meet, Gilroy High’s wrestling team is in good shape. The Mustangs placed fifth in the Doc B on Jan. 5 at Clovis High.
But before state, Gilroy will try to win its 11th straight Central Coast Section title. And the Mustangs should get a CCS preview of sorts with their own tournament this weekend.
Gilroy will host Mid-Cals on Friday and Saturday. The Mustangs hope to defend their tourney title against a field of more than 60 teams, including several CCS foes.
“Almost all of the CCS teams are going,” Gilroy coach Greg Varela said. “A huge group are going to be there. It’s a preview to our CCS tournament.”
Varela said 63 teams had entered the tournament as of Monday night. Local schools competing include Gilroy, Christopher and Sobrato.
Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and championship matches are set for about 4 p.m. Saturday. The tournament carries an individual double-elimination format.
Gilroy could already fill a scrapbook with memorable moments this season. The Mustangs secured top-five team finishes in the Doc B and Chukchansi invitationals, beat rival Christopher 47-21 and own a No. 1 CCS team ranking from The California Wrestler.
But the idea of wrestling in a two-day tournament in front of home fans gives Gilroy wrestlers something extra to look forward to this weekend.
“It’s our home tournament. We set it up, we run it and it’s our hometown,” said Mustangs 126-pounder Victor Olmos, one of six Gilroy wrestlers ranked in the top 26 in the state in their respective weight classes. “It feels good (when) you get the community to go and watch us wrestle. All our friends and family get to watch. Everybody can come.
“It’s our tournament. We want to win it and get as many guys to win it and place as we can to get ready for CCS. A lot of guys (at CCS) are going to be at Mid-Cals, so it’s a good preview.”
Varela said the Mustangs “absolutely” take pride in competing at home in Mid-Cals.
“It’s the most fun tournament for our kids. They love it,” Varela said. “It’s in our hometown, our crowd, our families, our friends. Everyone comes, it’s a big deal and they like to protect their place. It’s their house.”
Gilroy junior Nikko Villarreal won the 145-pound title in the Doc B, and he’ll help lead the Mustangs into Mid-Cals.
Also in the Doc B, Gilroy’s Jesse Vasquez (113) and Paul Fox (138) took fifth, and Olmos (126) placed seventh.
“(Vasquez) turned the corner at Doc B. That’s very rare,” Varela said. “For someone to have a breakout tournament, it’s usually at a lower-level tournament. But for him to have a breakout tournament at the Doc B and take fifth was just amazing.”
Christopher will be counting on Mario Anchondo (113), Tomas Zamora (195) and Josh Aguilera (220), who each won contested matches against Gilroy on Jan. 9.
Sobrato will be led by Brandon Lefore, who won the 160-pound title in the Jim Root Invitational at Prospect on Saturday. He’s won championships the past two weeks, including his Outstanding Wrestler honor in the Apple Cider Classic on Jan. 5 at Watsonville.
NOTES
The top three teams will receive trophies, and the top eight individuals in each weight class will receive medals. Outstanding Wrestler honors will be awarded to lower and upper weights. … The tournament will be streamed live online at ustream.tv/user/gilroy_wrestling/shows. … Gilroy’s busy month continues with home dual meets against Palma on Thursday and Oak Grove on Jan. 25.
