Wrestling: It’s now or never for CdM

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - If there’s any time for the Corona del Mar High

wrestling team to get over the proverbial hump, the time is now. The Sea

Kings, who finished second at the Pacific Coast League finals last year,

are gunning for the title this season.

Next year, state power Calvary Chapel will enter the PCL and league

championships will be even more hard to come by.

“We want (the PCL title) while it’s accessible,” said CdM Coach Gary

Almquist who is anxious to compete against the Eagles next year. “I want

to wrestle against them. Every boy here is going to see that’s how good

we need to be. I want that.”

Almquist’s excitement for next year is just as intense for this

season. When he read in the Daily Pilot that Costa Mesa believes it is a

contender for the PCL, that just motivated the Sea Kings more. They

circled a date on the calendar, Jan. 24, when the Sea Kings will host the

Mustangs.

“I believe the PCL goes through University High,” Almquist said.

“They’re not going down for anybody. We have to get up for that.”

The Sea Kings will host University, Jan. 10. Almquist, who is known to

strap on the head gear and wrestle with his boys, has put a strong focus

on the holidays break.

“The league title could come down to who works the hardest during the

Christmas Break,” Almquist said.

So far, senior Steven Russell, who wrestles in the heavyweight class,

has been working hard and Almquist expects a PCL individual title from

him. Russell, a two-time All-PCL offensive tackle, won the Irvine

tournament Dec. 8.

Junior Jeremy Warner, who won the PCL title in the 112-pound weight class last year, has bumped up a weight division and will seek a league

championship in the 119s.

Seniors Ben Wynkoop (145-pound weight class), Brian Freedman (125) and

Steve Shipman (215) all finished runner-up for a PCL title last year and

will look to qualify for CIF competition, this time, with a league

championship.

Senior Ben Inouye, a three-sport athlete, will attempt to qualify for

CIF for the third time.

CdM has already had success in the preseason and will look to continue

its improvement today, hosting a four-way meet that will include

Westminster, Esperanza and Katella.

CORONA DEL MAR HIGH WRESTLING

Taylor Alston Fr.

Matt Load Fr.

Jeremy Warner Jr.

Brian Freedman Sr.

Ben Inouye Sr.

Chris Bello Jr.

Dan Gushu Jr.

Ben Wynkoop Sr.

Ryan Shores So.

Ryan Green Sr.

Dane Robie So.

Brad Sperber Sr.

Steve Shipman Sr.

Steven Russell Sr.

Coach: Gary Almquist