Cerritos College: With six state placewinners returning back for the Falcons, Coach Don Garriott has high expectations for his squad. The leader of the team is sophomore Dustin Kirk – (Elsinore H.S) who was an All-American last season at 125 pounds. This season he will go up a weight class and try to win a state title.
“Dustin is a great wrestler, he’s a work horse” – said, Coach Garriott.
Taking over the spot for the Falcons at 125 pounds will be Gary Howe – (Los Alamitos H.S). Last season Gary was a little light for the weight class and was behind Dustin. He has grown and looks forward to making some noise this season. Sophomore Eric Ambriz – (Temescal Canyon H.S) is back and will look to improve on his 8th place finish from last season. After a two year hiatus from college wrestling, Voris Meeks (Yucca Valley H.S) who finished 8th in the state tournament in 2011, returns back to the Falcons eager to bring a team and individual title to Cerritos.
“In my opinion, this kid (Meeks) is the Cal JC Jordan Burroughs. He redshirted last year and has just sky rocketed in every aspect of the word” – Coach Garriott
Keanu Tom (Los Alamitos H.S) who finished 5th in the state tournament, is described by Coach Garriott as most talented wrestler on our team. He was ranked No. 1 at 165 pounds all season, until he dropped down a weight class. The Falcons should have solid wrestlers in the 184 and 285 pound weight classes. At 184 should be Jerimiah Gerl (Calvary Chapel Downey H.S). Gerl was 7th last season in state, but comes from a great wrestling family. His brothers (Bronson and Caleb) were both All-Americans for Cerritos and wrestled at Cal Baptist. Robert Chism (Downey H.S) who nearly missed Al-American honors by placing 4th in state, is one of the favorites to win a state title this season.
“Robert took 4th last year with only 2 weeks of practice after football season was over. We have him all season this year and are excited to see what he can do in wrestling shape”- Coach Garriott.
Two wrestlers whom should contribute a lot to the team are - 174lbs- Max Kumashiro (Los Alamitos H.S) a state qualifier last season and Dylan Clarke (Burnt Hills (NY) at 165 pounds.
Incoming freshmen with lots of wrestling experience who should be solid for the Falcons in the near future, are - 165lbs- Ruben Avila (Lake Elsinore H.S), 285lbs-Jesse Gomez (Buna Park H.S), 157-Kevin James (Redondo H.S), 184lbs- David Martinez (LB Poly H.S), 197lbs- Oscar Martinez (Centennial Corona H.S), 149lbs- AJ McKee (LB Poly H.S), 149lbs- Gino Roman (El Dorado H.S), 184lbs- Elihja Wilson (LB Poly H.S), and 197lbs- Charles Lewis (Illinois).
Cuesta College: : Coach Joe Dansby is really excited for the 2014 season. Cuesta College will hosts the 2014 wrestling state championships, and with that, Coach Dansby believes it is time to bring some hardware just a few short steps into their trophy case.
Cuesta College has three main goals which they label “Vision Cuesta”. No. 1, to finish top 3 as a team in the state championship. No. 2, win second consecutive southeast conference. And No. 3, to maintain a B average as a team. We want to get it done not only on the mat, but in the classroom as well –said, Coach Dansby.
The Cougars return seven starters from the 2013 squad. State placewinners George Sakkas (San Jose H.S) at 125 pounds and Josh Cortez (Thousand Oaks H.S) at 157 pounds, will be the team leaders for the Cougar squad. Connor Pollock (Folsom H.S) 133 pounds, John Sinclair (San Jose H.S) 165 pounds and Nate Mesa (Woodlake H.S) 184 pounds, were state qualifiers last season. Pollock is a dangerous individual who finished 2nd in the South Regional. This can certainly be his year were he becomes an All-American.
Johnny Callas (Nevada Union H.S) and Jared Dorado (Nipomo H.S) placed 7th and 8th respectively in the South Region last season. Both wrestlers have the tools to make it to state and help Cuesta place top three in the state tournament. “Many tough redshirts and incoming freshman will fill gaps and challenge for varsity spots” –Coach Dansby.
2013 Top 10 Team Scores
1- Sacramento City 171 6- Cuesta 65.5
2- Fresno City 133.5 7- Modesto 60.5
3- Mt. San Antonio 113.5 8- Cerritos 56.5
4- Santa Ana 98 9- Santa Rosa 36
5- Palomar 85 10- West Hills 36