by Macade Maxwell, Sports Editor

The St. John Bosco Wrestling team has been a dominant program in California high school wrestling for decades, one with a rich history and an impressive record of achievements to their name. 

With two CIF State championships, four CIF Masters titles, 13 CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) championships and 22 league titles under their belts, the Braves have created a foundation as one of the most successful wrestling programs in the state. Entering the 2025 season under new leadership, the Braves have still been able to continue their tradition of success. 

Despite the departure of former Head Coach, Jeffrey Anderson, the Braves haven’t skipped a beat—employing new Head Coach, Jenaro Santillan. Santillan, a familiar face in the Bosco Wrestling program, has maintained the team’s high standards while applying his own coaching philosophy of hard work and enjoyment while doing so. 

His leadership displayed significant success in the early stages of the season with a victory in the Cossarek Classic Team Champions Tournament, securing the win with 342 total team points, 15 finalists and nine champions. 

“The guys take it serious. To us, this is business,” said West Point commit, Joseph Antonio. 

The Braves recently captured the 2025 Trinity League title in dominant fashion, defeating longtime rival Servite 73-0. They followed up this performance by securing the 2025 CIF-SS Division 1 Dual Meet Championship with a commanding 66-6 victory over Mayfair. These scores only show Bosco’s status as a premier wrestling powerhouse. 

Junior Zaydrein Hernandez, who recently returned from injury, emphasized the strong bond between him and his teammates. 

“It’s important to have fun and enjoy every single moment,” Zaydrein said. “[This win] means a lot. These guys are like family to me. [A lot of us have] grown up and wrestled together since we were five [years old].”

The sense of dedication and brotherhood between the team has been vital to the team’s continued success. Many of the wrestlers have trained together for years, developing not only their skills on the mat but the bond with their brothers that fuels the competitive spirit. 

Coach Stantillan attributed the team’s latest CIF-SS Division 1 Dual Championship victory to their unwavering dedication and work ethic. 

“It took a lot of hard work, effort and hours in the wrestling room,” said Coach Santillan. “Winning this title means [everything]. It’s my first year as Head Coach, but it took a long time to get where we are today. It didn’t just happen overnight.”

Not only were the CIF Dual Championships a high point in the season, they set the tone for the rest of the season as the Braves look ahead to Individuals, Masters and State.

“It took preparation and a lot of hard work. We practice year-round Monday through Saturday, so we get after it,” said senior captain, Joseph Antonio. “It took all of us. We all went in there, got points, executed takedowns and just put on a show for everybody.” 

It was indeed a show, as it turned out to be the third consecutive CIF Dual Championship victory. The Braves continued their dominance in the league finals, crowning champions at every weight class. 

106lb – Jorge Rios

113lb – Aaron Meza 

120lb – Sean Wilcox 

126lb – Nathan Carrillo (Oregon State Commit)

132lb – Zaydrein Hernandez

138lb – Jesse Grejeda 

144lb – Michael Romero 

150lb – Sergio Gomez

157lb – Tigren Greyen

165lb – Joseph Antonio

175lb – Isai Fernandez

190lb – Mason Savidan

215lb – Kevin Rodriguez

285lb – Milton Carter

With playoffs ahead, the Braves are determined to add more accomplishments to their phenomenal season. As they prepare for upcoming CIF State championships, they remain focused on their goals: to maintain the discipline and determination that have made them into the wrestling program they are today.