Central Union High's Micah Perez (right) looks for a take down against an opponent at the CIF State tournament Friday at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. (Ryan Leon) |
BAKERSFIELD — When the first round of the CIF state championships started here Friday, there were six Imperial Valley wrestlers ready to pursue their dream of winning or placing.
After the fourth round, only Central Union High 115-pound wrestler Micah Perez remained standing, as he will compete in the semifinals today for a chance to go to the finals.
“It feels really good to be in the semifinals right now. I felt I wrestled how I needed to wrestle and I’m just going to have to continue it,” 17-year-old Perez said. “I’m going to go into tomorrow with the same game plan I’ve been using … it seems to be working so far.”
With Perez making it to the semifinals he assures himself a sixth or better finish at the tournament.
“Knowing I’ve already placed doesn’t really take any pressure off my shoulders because I came here with the intention of winning state and nothing else,” Perez said. “Being able to make it to the finals would be another one of my stepping stones and once I reach that I’m off to take it all.”
Two seniors, in Brawley Union’s Arthur Carmona and Central’s Josh McFadden, walked off the mat for the last time in their high school careers Friday.
The other three local wrestlers are underclassmen and will have the opportunity to return next year and the year after.
One of those wrestlers is Brawley junior Lonzie Osuna.
“Coming into my first state tournament I was nervous and excited at the same time but after I won my first match with a pin the nerves kinda went away,” 16-year-old Osuna said. “I never thought I would make it to state this year, yet come within a match of making it to second day, but I’m happy I got to wrestle and now I’m just going to work harder to be back next year and place.”
Wrestling is set to start at 9 a.m. today with finals set for 7 p.m.
After the fourth round, only Central Union High 115-pound wrestler Micah Perez remained standing, as he will compete in the semifinals today for a chance to go to the finals.
“It feels really good to be in the semifinals right now. I felt I wrestled how I needed to wrestle and I’m just going to have to continue it,” 17-year-old Perez said. “I’m going to go into tomorrow with the same game plan I’ve been using … it seems to be working so far.”
With Perez making it to the semifinals he assures himself a sixth or better finish at the tournament.
“Knowing I’ve already placed doesn’t really take any pressure off my shoulders because I came here with the intention of winning state and nothing else,” Perez said. “Being able to make it to the finals would be another one of my stepping stones and once I reach that I’m off to take it all.”
Two seniors, in Brawley Union’s Arthur Carmona and Central’s Josh McFadden, walked off the mat for the last time in their high school careers Friday.
The other three local wrestlers are underclassmen and will have the opportunity to return next year and the year after.
One of those wrestlers is Brawley junior Lonzie Osuna.
“Coming into my first state tournament I was nervous and excited at the same time but after I won my first match with a pin the nerves kinda went away,” 16-year-old Osuna said. “I never thought I would make it to state this year, yet come within a match of making it to second day, but I’m happy I got to wrestle and now I’m just going to work harder to be back next year and place.”
Wrestling is set to start at 9 a.m. today with finals set for 7 p.m.
