The Aliso Niguel boys wrestling team has officially ended their season finishing with a record of 5-2. This season was a very memorable year for the team, as they ended with great performances from their wrestlers.
Although the last duel against San Clemente ended up with the Wolverines losing 24-51, it was still able to show how some of the wrestlers can wrestle at a high level. The league finals for wrestling were held at Capistrano Valley High School, where the team did very well, with some wrestlers finishing in the top three for their weight classes.
Because the season is over, the Aliso Niguel Varsity team will be sending up some wrestlers to wrestle for CIF which will be held on Feb. 13 at Great Oak High School. This tournament will determine the wrestlers’ entire season where they have had great determination and the long hard fought duels and practices that they have had to go through throughout the course of the season.
Going back to before the San Clemente duel, the Aliso Niguel wrestling team went up against El Toro at Aliso Niguel High School being held in the gym. This ended up in Aliso Niguel winning 52-24.
This matchup was able to show Aliso Niguel’s team consistency, which created an environment that made the matchup hard for El Toro. High effort was constant for the Wolverines, which is why they ended up winning against a great school for wrestling.
Now as the team enters CIF, their focus shifts to personal experience. CIF represents more than just another meet; it represents the team’s whole season and what they have been practicing for. Every match that the wrestlers compete in will demand high focus, work rate and confidence to overall come out victorious in the end.
Varsity CIF Wrestler Kyle Iwohara (10) comments, “I’m happy that I qualified for CIF. My entire year has been great, especially when I actually win against really tough matchups and when I have to go against ranked wrestlers.”
The stakes are high going into CIF, because it is a different atmosphere compared to the rest of the meets. Every match could be your last, so you must perform well; if not, then that can be the end of your season. Every senior has a lot to strive for, especially because it’s their last year in high school, and possibly their last ever match wrestling in general.
Varsity Wrestler Shayan Hariri (10), states, “It was a great sophomore season. I proved a lot more than I did during my freshman year, but overall a great season … I am happy how it ended for me and I am excited for my next two years wrestling.”
Regardless of the results during the past season, the team has defined their season by their perseverance and hard work. For certain wrestlers entering CIF, it is a huge milestone that reflects the grind and effort of the wrestler throughout the year, every practice and every match.
