2021/2022 was a tough year. It started off looking phenomenal as Patrick Henry had nine returning wrestlers, seven seniors, and two wrestlers who were top twenty in the state of California.
Our first scrimmage with Sweetwater saw one loss, including a win by the freshman Anastasia Vavilova. At our first tournament the team placed 5th of 21 with Jeff Dotson taking 2nd place. Our luck turned however with a loss in overtime to Cathedral Catholic and then an injury to senior Roy Rivas and our top wrestler Elijah Vinoray who injured his neck but still beat state ranked Kai Pellegrino of Canyon Crest.
Over the weeks, the luck of the team oscillated between football wrestlers returning after their CIF championship and a hall of fame Coach Cooper joining and injury losses, especially in the older experienced wrestlers.
As the older and experienced wrestlers suffered injuries, the young first year wrestlers stepped into their spots, battling through the grueling league and tournament schedule that this year turned out to be. While it was not as condensed as last year when we had 18 duals in the span of a month and a half, the 21 duals and 8 tournaments was not easy, especially for first-time wrestlers.
But while some decided wrestling was too difficult for them to continue, the wrestlers who stuck surpassed all expectations. The team ended up having three placers at the City tournament, taking second in league with a single league dual loss to Mira Mesa High School, and 12th at CIF with five placers, two qualifiers, and three alternates for the Masters tournament.
The team had large growth in other areas. Thanks to the efforts of the team and our amazing managers, we were able to raise over $3000 to fund the tournaments. Part of the funds went to get a new weight chart and future pull-up bars. The team also expanded outreach to Alumni and updated the new website as well as increased its presence on social media with accounts on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
The season ended with a third-place finish at CIFs by a first-year wrestler Derrick Nguyen and a top 12 at Masters by two-time league champion Jared Hollander who completed his career with 52 pins and 67 wins as a three-year wrestler.
Next year Patrick Henry will be starting off on a strong foot with a strong cadre of veteran wrestlers like Elijah Vinoray and Alex Adler and a whole brood of up and coming and committed second-year wrestlers like Francisco Gonzalez who wrestled in Master’s as a first year wrestler.
Most importantly, however, we have a loyal and dedicated group of parents and fans who travel with the team to every away match and tournament. We have support from the school, amazing coaching staff, a supportive community and many alumni who come back and give back to the program through time and donations.
A team can have a strong wrestler or a good coach, but it is the community that defines the program. And with the Patriot community, Patrick Henry wrestling has a bright future.
For anyone interested in trying out wrestling, join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the wrestling room from 4:15-5:30pm. All skill levels, girls and boys, 12 and up with a USA wrestling card.
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