CdM duo advances

Chris Yemma

Brian Feeley came so close last year, but fell one spot short.

This year was sweet redemption.

After only his fourth meet back from a knee injury, the Corona del

Mar High senior wrestler qualified for the Masters Meet for first,

and what will be the last, time in his high school career.

“It feels really good,” Feely said. “Last year I came here I had

to go against the same guy twice and I got sixth. He beat me every

time.”

This year was a different story for the wrestler, who competes in

the 130-pound weight class. He defeated Murrieta Valley’s Jaime

Arroyo to claim third place in the CIF Southern Section Southern

Division tournament Saturday at Westminster High. He won by decision,

5-2.

“I came back [from the knee injury] and I told myself I’m going to

win CIF,” said Feeley, who had forgone knee surgery earlier in the

year so he could continue wrestling.

“I didn’t make it to the final, but I did the next best thing I

could do.”

In his ninth season holding the reins of the CdM wrestling

program, coach Gary Almquist accomplished what he describes as his

greatest season.

Two other of his wrestlers placed in the top six, with senior

Andrew Kaligian (215) also placing third to qualify for next

weekend’s Masters Meet at Fountain Valley High. Kaligian won by

decision, 6-5, in an overtime fourth round.

Senior Jon Dean (152) lost by decision in an overtime fourth

round, 2-0, to place sixth and barely miss qualifying for the

Masters. He lost to the same opponent who knocked him into the

consolation bracket back in the quarterfinals.

“I really wanted five of them to place, but we did well with

three, considering the injuries,” Almquist said. “This is the best

year we’ve had.”

Almquist said his team was plagued with injuries this season. He

said he lost three seniors in the last two weeks.

“If you bring back those three seniors, they would have been

scoring points for us,” Almquist said.

Senior Robby Richey (275) lost in the consolation quarterfinals,

while both Ian Hogan (160) and Isaac Inouye (140) lost in the first

round.

Estancia’s Efren Alvarez (189) lost by pin in the second round,

while Dominic Durastanti (275) and Danny Alderete (130) both lost in

the first round for the Eagles.

Costa Mesa senior Joe Amburgey (171) lost in the first round by

decision, 9-4, and Garrett Williams (112) lost in the first round by

pin.