Going forward
Bryce Alderton
For the first time in four years, Newport Harbor wrestling coach
Dominic Bulone has a full team to fill the 14 weight classes as the
Sailors look to improve on a winless 2001-02.
The Sailors (2-3) have already surpassed last years’ win count
with two victories in three matches against Newport-Mesa schools
Corona del Mar and Estancia while losing to Costa Mesa in the
four-team district championships held at CdM last week. Costa Mesa
went 3-0 to claim the team title.
Eight of the 17 wrestlers are seniors, which gives Bulone added
experience on the mat.
“We have a lot of wrestlers with one to two years of experience
and a couple superstars,” Bulone said.
Bulone spoke highly of junior Kid Lim, who wrestles in the
112-pound class, along with seniors Nate Geier (135) and Brandon Marshall (171). All three Sailors won individual district
championships in the four-team meet. Geier, a four-year varsity
wrestler and defending Sea View League 130-pound champion, pinned all
three of his opponents in the district meet to win an individual
championship. The previous week he won the 135-division at the Andrew
Pena Classic at Irvine High with four victories.
Junior Jon Rolsheim has also given Bulone solid effort in the
early season and the coach gave encouraging words about senior Tony
Pinon (152), who had two pins at the district championships.
Harbor has two wrestlers each competing in three weight classes:
135, 215 and the heavyweight. Senior Brad Bybee and junior Fabian
Vasquez occupy the 215 slot with seniors Phil Gerard and Jack Skahen
anchoring the heavyweight class. Junior Paul Landers will wrestle at
135 with Geier.
Seniors Geoff Pietrok (145) and Jon Enciso (189) along with
sophomores Morgan Nolan (119), David Spenser (130) Kyle Codey (140)
and Jeff Lande (160) compliment freshman Victor George (103). Enciso
and Bybee had pins at the district championships.
Spenser and Geier both tallied consecutive pins against Corona
last week.
Spenser, a grin on his face following his pin, gave Geier a
high-five and said, “I saw an opportunity to go for the ankles and I
did.”
Newport beat CdM, 44-29, he first time the Sailors have beat the
Sea Kings in Bulone’s four-year tenure.
“The match with Corona was excellent,” Bulone said.
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