Aliso Niguel’s Wrestling Takes on CIF

Allison McCutchen, Copy Editor|February 10, 2022

  Aliso Niguel’s Wrestling team has fought hard this season and planned to take that energy into CIF. Unfortunately, the tournament ended sooner than they had hoped. They wrestled a close match, but ultimately lost in the first round.

  Both Coach Colwell and the team were disappointed in the results as they all, “felt we could have won the match and potentially the next couple of matches as well so making an early exit from the tournament was upsetting.” 

  Although CIF duals did not go as planned, the Aliso Niguel Wolverine’s Wrestling team still has another shot during CIF Individuals which takes place Feb. 11-12. In order to qualify for CIF Individuals, the athletes had to place 4th or higher in their weight class, and Aliso Niguel had 11 male wrestlers and six female wrestlers qualify. Nathan Nichols (160) and Chloe Kitagawa (101) were both conference champions this season. 

  The boys who qualified are Khaisen Chen (108), Egan Anselmo (113), Vincenzo Benenati (126), Robert Harris (132), Daniel Kington (138), Luciano Benenati (152), Brandon Lensky (182), Ryder Karle (195), Alejandro Marquez (220), and James Perez (285). There are two alternates: CJ Lee (120) and Derek Simpson (145). 

  The girls who qualified are Roslyn Martinez (106), Kristina Dealmonte (111), Angie Mojica (121), Daisy Sandoval (152), and Sarah Cuenca (170). The girls also had two alternates: Nayely Morales (126) and Lisa Yamasaki (133). 

  The team was well prepared for CIF after going 8-5 during the season. They placed second in the South Coast League after going 2-1. They lost to Trabuco Hills in preseason but when the regular season came around, the team was able to turn it around and defeated them by 15. 

  Once the season ends, the team will start practice back up at the end of March and be working out at least twice a week. They will continue to have tournaments on the weekend through the spring and summer. Aliso Niguel’s Wrestling Program will also be hosting a kids club for new students coming in to join the team.