CdM aims high

Barry Faulkner

When calorie-conscious wrestlers convene around a dinner table, food

is typically an afterthought. So, when seven then-sophomores joined

Corona del Mar High wrestling coach Gary Almquist at a restaurant

before attending last year’s CIF Southern Section finals as

spectators, the topic strayed from myriad menu options.

“I asked, ‘Who is placing [at CIF] next year?’ ” Almquist said.

“And they all raised their hand and said ‘I am.’ I told them that if

just one of them placed in CIF as juniors, then all of them would as

seniors. That’s how competitive with each other they all are.”

Those seven juniors form the nucleus of a squad Almquist believes

could earn success in the rugged Pacific Coast League, which includes

wrestling powerhouse Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana, as well as emerging

juggernaut Tesoro.

“The junior class is stepping up,” said Almquist, who saw juniors

Taylor Alston, Brian Feeley and Jon Dean finish third in their

respective weight classes at the season-opening Downey 10-way

invitational.

Dave Simon, a newcomer to the program, earned a second-place

finish at the Downey meet and fellow seniors Ryan Shores and Dane

Robie have also earned spots in the varsity lineup, among the 47

athletes currently in the program.

“It’s the biggest turnout since I’ve been here,” said Almquist, in

his eighth season at the helm.

Alston is slated to start in the 112-pound class, while Feeley

(135) and Dean (140) join fellow juniors Matt Loeb (130), Isaac

Inouye (145), Andrew Keligian (215) and Robbie Richey (heavyweight)

in the projected starting 14.

Simon (189), Shores (160), and Robie (171) add to the

upperclassmen expected to lead the way, while sophmore Eston Greub

(119) gained valuable varsity experience as a freshman.

Sophomore Ian Hogan (152), fourth at Downey, as well as freshmen

Zac Von Berg (103) and Tom Folks (125), will also be counted upon to

try to get the 2002 PCL champions back into the top half of the

league standings, which would produce a berth in the CIF team

playoffs.

Almquist is also pleased to have Steve Shipman, who placed fifth

in CIF Division III at 215 pounds in 2002 for CdM, back in the

program as his assistant coach.

“He’s making a huge difference,” Almquist said. “The freshmen love

him.”