Just about every high school wrestling team in San Diego County has had a close call with the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Some more than others.
Bonita Vista High School’s mat program was paused for two weeks because of COVID-19 issues. The Barons hope to make up a missed league dual meet against Mater Dei Catholic before postseason competition starts.
Bonita Vista did get back on the mat for a Mesa League matchup against visiting Otay Ranch on Jan. 13. Neither team fielded a full roster. The Mustangs forfeited three matches while the Barons were missing two weight classes.
Only two junior varsity matches took place.
“It’s gone pretty good, though we had some trouble with COVID,” BVHS assistant coach Anthony Bercu explained. “We had to take a couple weeks break. We’re hoping to get back on track.”
The Barons won eight of the 13 contested matches at the Jan. 13 dual against the Mustangs, including six by pins. Isaac Lopez (134 pounds) remains the jewel on the team, winning by a pin as time expired in the first period.
Bradley Bell (140), Alex Aftahi (172), Lucas Rodriguez (197), Isaiah Benitez (222) and Kelly Brown (287) also won by falls. Brown pinned his opponent in 36 seconds while Bell notched a 59-second pin.
Otay Ranch coach Walter Wohlford acknowledged his team has also been hit by the virus, which has taken some wrestlers out of the lineup. But he feels his squad has the time and resiliency to recover.
“Competition-wise, our team is showing growth going into the postseason,” he said on an optimistic note.
Wohlford lists three grapplers on his team, in particular, who look to excel in the postseason: Nate Coldren (113 pounds), Abram Jimenez (140) and Angelo Duschane (145).
All have placed in tournaments so far this season.
Coldren and Duschane both captured first-place medals in their weight classes at the Hilltop varsity team tournament on Jan. 8. The Mustangs finished fourth out of 10 teams.
Coldren (15-0 technical fall) and Duschane (8-6 minor decision) both won their matches at the Bonita Vista dual meet. Coldren, a senior, improved his season record to 6-1.
Other winners on the mat for the Mustangs against the Barons included Alijah Wardrobe (126, 9-6 decision), Gadiel Covarrubias (184, forfeit) and Singin Torga-Eide (122, 8-3 decision).
Otay Ranch dropped to 0-3 in league dual meets following the loss to the Barons. Wohlford said this year’s team is filled with underclassmen, which is a positive despite the win-loss record.
“It’s good to see our program has depth,” he said. “It looks good for next season.”
The Metro Conference championship tournament is scheduled Feb. 5, followed by the section divisional championships Feb. 12.
Battle for the Belt
Olympian placed 23rd out of 48 teams at last weekend’s Temecula Battle for the Belt tournament.
Abram Cline placed fifth in his 106-pound weight class at the regional draw event. He finished 4-2 on the mat with one pin, one major decision and two minor decisions.
Both of Cline’s losses came against wrestlers from San Diego Section powerhouse Poway, which won the tournament with 344.5 points over runner-up Clovis (280.5 points) and third place Temecula Valley (246.5 points).
Jareth Marmolejo finished 2-2 for the Eagles competing at 126 pounds at the Temecula tourney.
Roller hockey: Barons de-claw Cougars in 14-0 win
In a matchup of undefeated 5-0 CIF-Metro Conference roller hockey teams on Wednesday, the defending Sweetwater district champion Bonita Vista Barons defeated the San Ysidro Cougars 14-0.
Bonita Vista received six goals and two assists from senior Max Anderson, two goals and three assists from freshman Jacob Hunter and two goals and one assist from freshman Cam Belyk.
GIRLS SOCCER:
Bonita Vista and Olympian are both off to 2-0 starts in Mesa League play. Olympian is 12-1 overall while Bonita Vista is 9-1 overall. In games on Wednesday, Olympian topped Eastlake, 3-1, while Bonita Vista shut out San Ysidro 4-0.
GIRLS BASKETBALL:
Otay Ranch improved to 12-1 overall, 2-0 in Mesa League play, after defeating visiting Chula Vista, 62-51, on Wednesday. Eastlake (9-6 overall) improved to 2-0 in league following last Friday’s 53-39 win at Mater Dei Catholic.
