Three years ago Coach Jack Donio and I arrived at Patrick Henry. It was 2021, the COVID vaccine was being rolled out and wrestling would for the first time be during spring season. We had 12 boys.; not enough for a full squad. In spite of it, we had a great season with only three dual losses and multiple CIF placers.
2022 was a tough year. We had good wrestlers who got hurt, a lot. Most sports had that issue due to COVID. Last year we improved to 24 wrestlers. We had a very young team an ok season at duals but a historic one with eight Masters qualifiers, our first Masters champion and two state qualifiers.
During the summer we worked harder than ever. We held a camp and had more off-season practices. We had our first year of wrestling for middle schools.
Today we have a full Varsity, JV and the beginning of a girls team. We have excellent coaching and managing staff.
The girls team is lead by a freshman captain Violet Gray who took 2nd place with a record of 3-1 at her first tournament. The team also includes senior Alexandra Hopkins, freshman Aubrey Lund and Eagle Rumble silver medalist, sophomore Destiny Torres.
Our Varsity team voted for a four -year varsity wrestler Alex Adler as their head captain. Alex placed three times at CIF and had a 2-2 record at Masters. Our two other captains are Abudllah Alshami and Ethan Vinoray, both sophomores. Abdullah was a first-time wrestler but took 7th at CIF and qualified for Masters. Ethan Vinoray was third at CIF and third at Masters qualifying for State Championships as a freshman. This is the firs time for Patrick Henry and as far as we know for San Diego Metro Conference a freshman qualified for the State Tournament. Ethan is currently ranked 23rd in the state and 2nd in San Diego County at his weight.
The varsity team is young with many second year wrestlers. Other wrestlers expected to fair well are Masters qualifiers seniors Francisco Saroldi-Gonzalez and Barrett Talbot. Senior Koa Altmeyer did not compete in past CIF’s due to injuries but is expected to have a great season. Sophomores Van Alvarez, Jad Carruthers and juniors Reid Muscat and Gage Mote are also returning wrestlers who have shown a lot of improvement and have a strong potential for placing at CIFs.
Last year dark horse Senior Aedyn Jamison took first at League and 3rd at CIF. First time wrestlers Andy Crow, Brandon Phung and Anthony Mokhov could be those dark horse wrestlers as well.
New coaching additions to our team include alumni Zavion Guy and Gavin Hingten. Patrick Henry also has its first female coach, Mia Hamel and a welcome addition is Coach Jores Peters who coached many CIF placers for Imperial High School.
We are so proud of the team and all the hard work they put in and can’t wait to see what this season brings.
Go Patriots!
Patriot Wrestling Season is possible thanks to our sponsors and donors.
This Giving Tuesday, consider supporting Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Wrestling.
Photo Credit: Don DeMars Photography
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