by Jalen Manson

The St. John Bosco Wrestling team had many young studs, winning many individual championships. However, the team took 5th place in there California state wrestling meet this past weekend in Bakersfield at Rabobank Arena.

State champions Sonny Santiago and Nathan Haas went on to win their state finals match in a very close battle. With Santiago going into overtime to win and Haas closing the deal with seconds left on the clock to bring home the championship, the players went all out right down to the wire.

The Bosco Wrestling team got 2nd at the 2019 C.I.F Duals. Through league, C.I.F, Masters and State the wrestling team finished 2nd place at all qualifying tournaments as a team. Also, with eight state qualifiers and four state placers which breaks the record from the previous year with four state placers at the state tournaments out of the eight who competed this weekend. Placers Antonio Lorenzo 4th, Cael Valencia 2nd, Sonny Santiago 1st, Louis Rojas 6th, and Nathan Haas 1st. 

“I know we could have done better as a team, but we left it all on the mat and gave it all we got. Now we need our younger classmen to step up next year so we can bring home a state championship,” said Team Captain Sonny Santiago.

This year there will be 6 seniors who will be graduating, with two of them already committed to colleges. Antonio Lorenzo will be pursuing his Athletic career at Cal poly, and Cleveland Belton will be attending Arizona State University.

“I am excited to test my skills at the higher level, it’s going to be a great experience these next 4 years of life,” said Lorenzo.

“I am blessed to be given this opportunity to show what I have to offer I want to thank my coach’s for getting me this far in my life,” said Belton.

The wrestling team was looking to recapture a Trinity League Title, as well as a CIF and Master Championship. However, due to injuries the team was not able to make a smooth run through the final stretch of the season. They still competed hard and to the best of  their ability even with some obstacles. 

Head coach Jeff Anderson said, “I am proud of my boys. They gave it their everything and that’s all I can ask for when they step on that mat.  It’s going to be a tough loss losing the seniors we have this year but they will do great things in college and in life. I know they will.”

During C.I.F Duals finals against our top rivals in the state Servite, Bosco lost by a thread 33-34 in an intense match.

Overall the season of the St. John Bosco Wrestling team had a great year with two state champion w Next year let’s hope the braves finish with more state champions.