The Aliso Niguel Boys Wrestling team has started their league campaign, with the first match a home duel against Trabuco Hills High School in early December. Despite a packed crowd showing up at the Aliso Niguel High School gym, it was not quite the night for the Wolverines.
The Trabuco Hills Mustangs displayed a dominant performance across all weight classes, finishing the match with a final score of 49-21.
Although the Wolverines were off to a solid start in the preseason, they did have to overcome this Trabuco Hills defeat in order to turn their season around in hopes of qualifying for the CIF Postseason.
The second duel of the season at San Clemente High School was arguably one of the most crucial and important matchups for the Aliso Boys Wrestling team.
San Clemente High School performed well in the preseason, with convincing wins against Newport Harbor High School and El Modena High School; but the Wolverines ended up losing to Canyon Springs High School and Quartz Hill High School.
The San Clemente Tritons decided to plan their senior night against Aliso Niguel, and in response, the Wolverines did not treat them lightly.
The Aliso Boys put up a fight in every single individual duel, applying themselves and giving every muscle of strength against San Clemente, knowing that their season was ultimately on the line.
With all the points added up, it was the closest duel of the season for the Wolverines. Aliso ended up ruining San Clemente’s senior night, winning by a very narrow margin of one singular point, giving the Wolverines the victory. This has improved the boys’ team’s record to 1-1 on the season, putting them in prime contention for CIF qualification.
Senior Derek Seo stated, “It was one of those matches where it was crucial to win it in order for our season to stay alive. I am so happy it worked out in our favor, and we got the job done.”
Aliso Niguel then had another duel against El Toro High School at home, and this time it was for Aliso’s senior night.
On paper, El Toro Chargers did not quite perform well in the preseason, however, in wrestling anything can happen.
The Wolverines ended up performing well in front of the large crowd on senior night, truly making the night special for all of the friends and family that the seniors invited. The final score of the night was a 45-25 victory for Aliso.
Senior Zane Aossey could not have been more proud of his fellow seniors: “The seniors have been putting in the work over the past few years, in which they have made significant progress so far in school and in this season as well. Some of our guys are state-ranked and All American, and even committed to colleges such as Vanguard University.”
Aossey adds, “It’s the end of high school, and our childhoods really, and the way we have conducted ourselves up until this point is really starting to pay off.”
Aliso will enter individual league finals next week, securing second place in league play.
