HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING PREVIEW:Newport wrestlers move on

By no stretch is this Newport Harbor High’s top wrestling team in Coach Dominic Bulone’s eight years.

But these Sailors aren’t the shabbiest, either.

Despite losing two wrestlers qualifying for the CIF Southern Section individual tournament last year, Bulone has seen his young wrestlers emerge.

He counted on his top three returnees in juniors Josh George (135 pounds) and Bryan Bennett (215), and senior Brian Beaudette (heavyweight) to produce.

The trio’s combined record is 35-9. Grapplers like sophomores Eddie Garcia (112) and Nick Bernstein (119) have also elevated their game.

“These two guys are catching on quickly,” said Bulone of Garcia and Bernstein, who are 9-5 and 10-5, respectively. “We lost more than a handful of seniors. This is going to be a tough year.”

Garcia has filled a void left when Newport Harbor lost one if its CIF qualifiers. Not to graduation, but to a transfer. Bulone expected Zane O’Bourke to wrestle for him at 112 after he placed third at the Sea View League finals.

But O’Bourke is now at state power Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana.

“He told me he wanted to wrestle for a more high-quality program, which [Calvary Chapel] is,” said Bulone, whose best finish in league has been third place, which Newport Harbor tied for last year in the Sea View League. “In a way I’m flattered, but my feeling is that as a freshman and sophomore our juniors and seniors helped him. It was his turn to help the guys below him.”

The Sailors are battling without O’Bourke, and they recently achieved something they’ve never had in Bulone’s career at Newport Beach, beating Huntington Beach in a dual meet.

Newport Harbor pulled it out by seeing its regulars George and Beaudette win, and also some youngsters. Bennett was out with an injury, and sophomore Cameron Rausch stepped in. He won and so did sophomores Eddie Garcia, Bernstein, David Garcia (130), Michael Perrotta (140) and Adrian Luchs (171).

With Beaudette and Bruce Hartshorn (189) as the two seniors on this year’s team, Bulone has a young and talented group. Making for a promising future.

“Our team has had some good wins,” said Bulone, whose team has also beaten rival Corona del Mar and University. “We’re in a way tougher league, the Sunset, and that league had four [Edison, Marina, Los Alamitos and Esperanza] of its six teams place in the top 10 at CIF (Southern Section).

“I don’t have the strongest team, but we’re going to do our best. Some of the younger guys have stepped up.”