FOUNTAIN VALLEY - Time wound down toward...

FOUNTAIN VALLEY - Time wound down toward the end of the match and

Estancia High senior Nathan Thaler was already smiling. He was picturing

himself in Stockton.

Thaler, the 215-pound CIF Southern Section Division IV wrestling

champion, advanced to the State Meet after defeating Warren’s Randy

Jreisat, the Division V champion, 8-6, in the fourth round of consolation

of the Masters Meet, Saturday, in front of an overflow crowd at Fountain

Valley High’s gym.

Thaler will wrestle at the State Meet in Stockton, Friday and

Saturday.

He finished seventh and led a small but solid showing of Newport-Mesa

district wrestlers at the two-day meet. Newport Harbor’s Bruce Lim (119

pounds) came within one win to qualify for state and Corona del Mar’s

Aaron Hacker (152) finished with a 1-2 record.

“It was kind of like awe,” Thaler said of his emotions upon winning

the state-qualifying match. “(Jreisat) was tough, but I felt he had some

weaknesses. So, I went at him and started to be aggressive. I won the

round and that’s all that counts. Stockton.”

After a scoreless first period, Thaler built a 6-2 lead. He slipped a

quick reversal on Jreisat to open the second period. Thaler then shot for

two takedowns in the final 35 seconds, scoring the latter with one second

remaining.

Thaler increased his confidence with the advantage as he allowed

Jreisat an escape to begin the third period. But, Thaler later scored a

takedown with one minute remaining for an 8-3 lead.

Jreisat managed an escape and then a reversal with 25 seconds left,

but Thaler, a transfer from Newport Harbor who now has a 43-6 record,

held on for the victory. He jumped in celebration and hugged his coaches.

Thaler became the first Newport-Mesa District wrestler to advance to

the state tournament since Harbor heavyweight Jason Deere in 1996.

“I used to have a love-hate relationship with competition,” said

Thaler, who developed mental strength from a sports psychologist. “But,

now it’s fun.”

After enduring rigorous training at a wrestling camp in Minnesota this

past summer, Thaler mapped out his goals for the season and placed a trip

to Stockton on top. When he met first-year Co-Coach Matt Atilano, Thaler

asked the coach if he had the necessities to qualify for the State Meet.

“He’s just got (great technique and mental strength),” said Atilano,

who wrestled Division I in college at Northern Illinois University.

“Mental toughness is over half the need. He showed his strength. And, he

has such solid technique it would be a shame for him not to succeed. I

feel happy that he stepped it up.”

The Masters’ fourth round of consolation consisted of four matches and

featured the stake: win and qualify for state or lose and go home.

“It’s brutal,” said first-year Co-Coach Steve Perez who has taken much

delight in Thaler’s senior season. “It’s been a great year all around for

him. He’s just made some mistakes (to get his six losses). So, we don’t

know how good he is.”

Thaler, who finished 4-2 at The Masters, earned a bye in the first

round. He then suffered a loss to Hemet’s Ryan Griffin who pinned him

with seven seconds remaining in the first period.

Thaler steadily took down opponents in the consolation bracket,

recording a major decision victory to begin his run.

He was awarded a win by default when the official called the match

because of violations from Tyrell Blanche of Burroughs.

Thaler won his final match by injury default because Gary Ullerich of

Capistrano Valley was hurt in the match previous.

After qualifying for state, Indio’s George Palmer calmed Thaler’s

celebration with an 11-1 victory, improving his record to 42-6.