The FHS wrestling team has wrapped up an impressive season with many major accomplishments for both the girls and boys teams. Overall, there were 12 students who qualified for the Central Coast Section (CCS) masters. On the girls team, Maya Camarena (11), Haru Duus (10), Lillian Fonceca (10) and Mia Rangel Lopez (12) qualified. For the boys team, Marcus Brooks (11), Dwight Cahiga (10), Victor Lopez Villatoro (9), Aydan McCune (9), Jameson Moore (12), Oscar Serna (12), Landen Squires (10) and Jorge Villagomez (11) qualified.
Wrestling is one of the oldest combat sports and involves important factors such as speed, strength, hand-eye coordination, agility and mental focus. The objective is to pin the opponent onto the wrestling mat for a period of at least two seconds. Wrestling matches have three periods. One can win by pinning or outscoring with a margin of one to seven or eight to 14. In order to ensure fairness between opponents, every match is divided into timed periods and has weight classes.
Wrestling points are secured by five main methods, including takedowns, escapes, reversals, nearfall, backfall and penalty points. The takedown method is when a wrestler takes down an opponent to the mat while standing in a neutral position, which delivers two to three points. Another method is the escape method, which is when a defensive wrestler breaks free from the top position, which gains one point. There is also the reversal method, worth two points, that happens when a defensive wrestler in the bottom position reverses control and ends up on top of their opponent. Additionally, there is the near fall back fall, which ranges from two to four points and is earned by holding an opponent’s shoulders at a 45-degree angle or closer to the mat. Lastly, there is the penalty, where you earn one to two points if your opponent commits infractions such as illegal holds, unnecessary roughness, stalling or unsportsmanlike conduct.
In wrestling, there are many moves to use to bring your opponent down. Some fundamental moves wrestlers use include the penetration step, the single leg takedown and the sprawl. The penetration step allows wrestlers to be put into a position to be able to grab their opponent and take them down to the mat. The single-leg takedown is a commonly used technique that involves targeting your opponent’s frontmost leg and dragging them to the ground. Sprawling moves your legs out of your opponent’s legs and forces them to carry your weight. These moves are the foundation of defensive and offensive success in wrestling.
Wrestling is not only about the physical, but also about making connections with teammates. Wrestling provides a sense of community for anyone who joins. It helps people meet and connect with new people or create deeper bonds with others, making wrestling a very social sport.
“Some pros are that it’s a really fun and engaging sport, and there’s a really good community around it,” FHS sophomore and wrestler Lillian Fonceca said.
Furthermore, the FHS wrestling team is filled with committed students, even though a regular student already has a busy schedule, everyone in the wrestling team still goes to practice and gives it their all. They put in the work and effort and look forward to improving their skills each day.
“I gotta say that there were a good amount of people that showed up, trying and putting in the effort,” FHS sophomore and wrestler Joey Presnell said.
The FHS wrestling team reflects how it is always more than just a sport. Wrestling is not only about winning and scoring points, but also about pushing yourself and learning throughout the season. Although wrestling is a competitive sport, the friendships one gains can help make wrestling less stressful and more fun. Not only do wrestlers gain experience, but they also gain a family.
