By Myra Chen
On Wednesday, Dec. 13, the Fountain Valley High School (FVHS)’s wrestling team competed against Corona del Mar (CdM) and finished with a 61-12 victory. The Barons showed outstanding performances and won 11 out of 13 matches.
The Barons started off strong with freshman Luc Khoan (106 lbs) winning in the first period with a pin, mere seconds into the match.
Sophomore Hunter Jauregui (113 lbs) did not disappoint, pinning down his CdM opponent after a two point takedown with only one minute and 43 seconds left in the first period.
The third match was with sophomore Christopher Qureshi (120 lbs), who had the upper hand throughout the duration of his three period match. CdM Luke Miller’s restless spirit was no match for Qureshi’s tight hold, who had two takedowns within the first period. In the second period, Qureshi started in the bottom position. He managed to escape, had yet another takedown and was awarded three points after a near fall. Qureshi’s success continued in the third period, ending with one escape and two takedowns.
Sophomore Liam Qureshi (126 lbs) fought similarly to his sibling. In the first period, Liam Qureshi had two takedowns, meanwhile his CdM opponent escaped twice as well. Nonetheless, Liam Qureshi was on the offensive, continuing to maintain two takedowns for both the second and third period. He secured another win for FVHS with his agility and determination.
Committed to Cal Poly, senior Anthony Lucio (132 lbs) did not disappoint, pinning his opponent down in the first period with one minute and 23 seconds left on the clock.
Crowd favorite junior Eric Huynh (138 lbs) took his audience on an exciting ride, prevailing after three tough periods. In the beginning, CdM’s Aleck Mendoza played offensive, scoring two points after taking down Huynh by his legs. The tides turned in the second period when Huynh started in the bottom position, but was able to gain control with a reversal. Huynh’s offensive trailed into the third period with a take down, eventually winning another match for the Barons — a victory followed by cheers in the audience.
Junior Jaden Reid (144 lbs) was another fun watch, securing a win in the third period after an escape. Reid maintained control throughout the match, adapting to his opponent’s behavior. He achieved a takedown and three point near fall in the first and second periods.
Another Cal Poly commit senior Hercules Windrath (150 lbs) defeated his opponent after a long moment of stalemate. Windrath and CdM Jimmy Kuiz stayed on their feet for a duration of the first period, going out of bounds several times. Both sides switched between offensive and defensive until Windrath ultimately prevailed in the first period with a takedown. Windrath increased his offensive behavior in the second and third period: two takedowns and four takedowns, respectively. Kuiz managed to escape several times, but in the end he was no match for Windrath.
Freshman Christian Acosta (157 lbs) continued the streak. Acosta started down in the bottom position in the second period, but was able to quickly turn over and obtain a reversal followed by a takedown where he had his opponent in a tight cradle. His success continued into the third period when he scored another takedown and finally pinned his CdM opponent down with 32 seconds left on the clock.
Cheers increased as sophomore Rocky Windrath (165 lbs) gained another victory for the FVHS Barons. The first period began with a stalemate until Rocky Windrath began his offensive attack with a takedown. In the second period, he followed up with an impressive reversal despite seemingly being locked in and finished with another take down, to which the cheers erupted in the bleachers and the CdM team fell silent. Adaptive to his opponent’s squirming limbs, Rocky Windrath took control until the end, coming out victorious after scoring a three point near fall before the timer ran out.
Junior Khale McDonnell (175 lbs) swept his opponent off his feet with one minute and 35 seconds left on the clock, pinning him to the ground in the first period.
Despite excellent efforts made by junior Greyson Yagar (190 lbs), he was defeated by an aggressive CdM Eugenio Franco. Franco obtained four takedowns, three of which Yagar was able to escape from. Ultimately, however, Franco pinned Yagar down in the first period.
West Point commit and senior Ryland Whitworth (215 lbs) had a successful match, though the same can not be said for his CdM opponent who suffered an injury. Whitworth had two takedowns in the first period. In the second period, Whitworth started in the bottom position and was easily able to escape, to which he followed with a take down and a three point near fall. His third period came with similar success: a takedown and a two point near fall. Whitworth’s CdM opponent Athony Leon, attempted to escape, but was unsuccessful as the timer ran out.
Heavy weight senior Justin Pulido Gonzalez was the last match. Though he fought hard, he was defeated after a pin from CdM’s Reid Butler.
Look forward to the boys’ wrestling tournament against Newport Harbor on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at FVHS.
