Silvio Estrada

Barry Faulkner

Utilizing what his coach calls the catch-and-release program,

Costa Mesa High wrestler Silvio Estrada sunk his hooks into some of

his vast potential Saturday at Northwood High.

The junior 130-pounder, who specializes in taking his opponents

down, letting them escape, then taking them down again, won four

matches, including a 7-4 triumph over a foe from Esperanza, to

capture his division at the invitational tournament. His first

tournament crown improved his record to 26-4 and also earned him

Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week recognition.

“I usually have a good eye for picking up potential and (Estrada)

has a lot of natural ability,” first-year Costa Mesa Coach Brett

Shainfeld said. “I think my expectations for him may be higher than

the ones he realizes for himself. I see moments of excellence in him,

but, in his mind, he is probably just out there wrestling.”

Estrada’s improvement, as well as the fortunes of the program (now

12-3 in dual matches and expected to contend for a Golden West League

title) has been closely linked with the arrival of Shainfeld. This

has been particularly crucial for Estrada, with whom Shainfeld has

shared the emphasis on takedowns he utilized as a competitor.

“We butted heads, early, but I think after the first tournament,

Silvio realized the things I was asking him to do would work,”

Shainfeld said. “Rather than trying to pin his opponent, he uses his

quickness and aggressiveness to take his opponent down, then let him

go, earning two points for the takedown and allowing one point for

the escape. It’s the tougher way to win a match.”

Estrada said winning was tough for him his first two years in the

program. But, with the encouragement of older brother Julio Ramirez,

who also wrestled at Mesa, Estrada said the toughness required to

survive even on the practice mat, has helped solidify his love for

the sport.

“It’s the hardest sport in the school,” Estrada said. “It grew on

me and I started to have a lot more fun.”

Estrada, who has pinned 13 opponents and been pinned only once,

admits winning is the most fun of all, a belief echoed by Shainfeld.

“Winning that tournament helped his confidence level,” said

Shainfeld, whom Estrada credits for not only helping him with his

aggressiveness and takedowns, but his defense.

“He uses mostly single legs and high crotches,” Shainfeld said of

Estrada’s favorite takedown techniques. He’s very good on his feet,

is very fast and has a pretty good work ethic. I’m trying to teach

him to be ‘in-your-face’ and to get after it for six minutes (matches

are broken into three two-minute periods).”

Estrada said he also gets plenty of help and inspiration from his

older brother, who attends most of his matches and is quick to engage

him in combat at home.

“We wrestle in the house, outside, anywhere,” Estrada said. “He

helps me get better.”