Bishop Amat High School - Tusitala Yearbook (La Puente, CA)

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Varsity Wrestlers Capture League Title The only thing on our minds was to be league champions, that was the only goal that mattered. Frank Guzman At the beginning of the sea- son, the Varsity Wrestling team was not even considered a con- tender for the league cham- pionship. That was usually giv- en to such high ranked teams as Baldwin Park and Sierra Vista high schools. Three months later, however, they were cele- brating their victory as the un- defeated Montview League champions. What accounted for the wres- tlers' success was simple-desire to win. Only their second year in the Montview League, the team already had high ambi- tions for winning the league ti- tle. It was this thought which drove them throughout the sea- son. The only thing on our minds was to be the league championsg that was the only goal that mattered, recalled junior Frank Guzman, who wrestled in the 115 pound weight class. Led by first year Head Coach Richard Almeida, the varsity wrestlers began the season com- peting in the El Rancho and Alemany Tournaments, in which they placed ninth and fourth respectively. Their first home exhibition meet was against Mater Dei, in which the team suffered their first defeat. The loss taught the wrestlers a lesson, however. 'We were over- confident and unprepared, said Coach Almeida, but we didn't let that happen again. Apparently, the team did learn from their mistakes, for they finished the rest of the season undefeated. Of crucial impor- tance was the meet against Bal- dwin Park, in which the Lanc- ers upset the number one ranked team, 37-32. Senior John Koiso commented, The win over Baldwin Park was really important, because it was then that we realized we could take league. The team continued to rack up wins such as 48-23 over San Dimas and 34-24 against Glad- stone, each victory bringing them closer to the league title. The season climaxed in a show- down with reigning league champions and undefeated Si- erra Vista. They were not champions for long, however, for the Lancers had defeated them 36-20, proving that any- thing can be achieved with sweat and willpower. nuuluu- i ilu lui nur - Varsity Wrestling Mater Dei lost 'Azusa won Crespi won 'Baldwin Park won Wilson WOH t'San Dimas W011 'Gladstone W011 'Sierra Vista WOII Overall record: 7 wins 1 loss ' Indicates Montview League El Rancho Tournament 9th place Alemany Tournament 4th place Bonita Tournament 5th place Whittier Tournament 3rd place Charter Oak Tournament 7th place C.I.F. finals 7th place l Bottom to top: Grayson Kline, John Koiso, Daniel Herrera, Eric Barron Frank Guzman, Shawn Schlegel, Amanzio Dizon, Scott Owen, Steve Ca- brera, Aron Gideon, Coach Richard Almeida, Jesus Betts, Mark Ochoa Sergio Barriga. 250 Sports 97

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1 .5 is Si '-in-K yr Vietories Relieve The Sting of Defeat In an intense game you were a little nervous, but once you went out there on the field you had just that one goal in mind. Sean Dempsey Having already beaten the previous year's win record within the first five of their games, the Boys Junior Varsity Soccer team was determined, energetic, and dedicated. Under the training of ,85 alumni, for- mer Associated Student Body president, Coach Ron Villaes- cusa and assistant coach Fabia Tovar, the team tripled the amount of wins from the pre- vious year. Practice started in late November and continued throughout the season, during vacations, and every non-game day, with the exception of Sun- day. This grueling schedule cleary showed signs of their be- ing true champions at heart. Composed mainly of fresh- men, sophomores, and a few ju- niors, the team had somewhat of a handicap as they were matched against other teams who were composed mainly of juniors. Several unfortunate in- juries to a few of the team mem- bers increased this handicap. Nevertheless, they held up well through the pressure and inten- sity. As expressed by sopho- more Chris Tomooka, We real- ly got pumped up before each game regardless of all the set- backs because we knew we had a good team and that we could actually beat those guys. Freshman Sean Dempsey sup- ported this view when he ad- ded, ln an intense game you were a little nervous, but once you went out there on the field you had just that one goal in mind. They certainly proved this during the Mater Dei game. The highlight of the year, they defeated the Monarchs by a score of 3-1. After having pre- viously lost to Mater Dei, the team was unquestionably proud at having reached one of their most victorious goals. Despite all of the blood, sweat, and tears the team defi- nitely found that just being able to play well together, de- spite the age differences and the temptation to be the star on the team, was an important ac- complishment in itself. Achiev- ing victory over some of the toughest teams only made win- ning even sweeter. Even through the occasional sting of defeat, the team's goal to strive for excellence kept them going. Front row: Mike Lee. .ine Laureoia, Nick Sanchez, Amer Hasboon. Matthew Beiiveau. Second row Brandon Vargas, Mike Coiins, John Criscione, Mike Shehata, Dan Martinez. Kev3n,P'uente. Third rowi Coach Ron Viiascuesa, Ron Meierxdez, David Greerioaum, Mike Rogers, Leetri Gumis, David Williams. Dave Smith, Coach Fabia Tovar, Fourth row: Raiph Villarzana, Etar Gallager, David Corey, ivan Tovar. Craig Lassen, Sean Dempsey. Boys Junior Varsity Soccer West Covina won Fontana won Montclair won Workman won Diamond Bar lost Arcadia tied Don Lugo won 'Mater Dei lost Carey won San Gorgonio lost Los Altos lost xServite tied 'Bishop Montgomery lost I Overall record: 6 wins 5 losses 2 ties ' Indicates Angelus League Boys Junior Varsity Soccer 249

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A Gladstone wrestler finds his arms held immo- bile by junior Daniel Herrera. Control over the situation was essential to victory on the mat. In perfect form, senior Eric Barron sits out to escape his Sierra Vista adversary. The wrestlers were required to have an extensive knowledge of various maneuvers to use in different circum- stances. Heavyweight senior Aron Gideon breaks down his opponent with an ankle pick maneuver. ln this, his first year wrestling, Aron possessed great ability and talent enabling him to become the C.l.F. champion of his weight class. With intense effort, sophomore Shawn Schlegel battles his Sierra Vista foe. The determination of the team led to their success. Locking his opponent, senior Grayson Kline goes for the pin. Though his foe escaped, Grayson was awarded three points for the near-fall Varsity Wrestling 251