Wrestling: Eagles rebuilding

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - So what if Estancia High wrestling coach Steve Perez

only has five boys on his varsity roster. He’s not concerned with

numbers. He’s not concerned with wins. In fact, his only pressing concern

this year is to rebuild a program that produced three Pacific Coast

League champions, including 215-pounder Nathan Thaler who advanced to the

state meet last year.

“It’s totally a rebuilding season,” Perez said. “I’m running a full

squad of frosh-soph. The varsity team was depleted by graduation and

injuries. It’s all about the frosh-soph team. Believe me, I don’t want it

that way. We just have to keep teaching them and make the best of it.”

The Eagles will battle in varsity competition as some wrestlers will

go back and forth from junior varsity to varsity throughout the season.

There will be several forfeits in different weight classes for Estancia

this year.

However, in the 125-pound class, junior Victor Carmona has improved

and is focused to defend his PCL title. Carmona finished third at the

Millikan Tournament earlier this season.

Junior Luis Valdes, PCL runner-up last season at 103 pounds, is

determined to get over the hump this season. Valdes will wrestle in the

119-pound division.

Junior Jeeandy Morales (130) is “the strongest kid on the team,” Perez

said, and he has only wrestled one year. The team also features senior

Victor Valdovinos and sophomore Adam Rodriguez.

“We have a lot of first-time wrestlers,” Perez said.

Perez expects the program to benefit from the school’s 17th annual

Estancia Wrestling Tournament, Jan. 4-5. Last year, the tourney featured

36 schools. This year, 47 schools will enter the competition.

“It’s going to be a nice thing for the school and will help build the

program,” said Perez, who is excited about next year. “My little guys,

the first-year wrestlers, are really picking it up. The frosh-soph team

took fourth out of 12 teams at the Millikan Tournament. I don’t see us

doing anything in (varsity) league. We’re looking toward the future.”

ESTANCIA HIGH WRESTLING

Victor Carmona Jr.

Luis Valdes Jr.

Jeeandy Morales Jr.

Adam Rodriguez So.

Victor Valdovinos Sr.

Coach: Steve Perez