By Lucas de Lima
Both the Junior Varsity (JV), and Varsity boys wrestling began their 2022-2023 campaign with a scrimmage against the Dinuba Emperors and the Tulare Western Mustangs on November 9, 2022.
The preparation for the season has been going on for months up until the scrimmage in the Tulare Western gymnasium. “First thing is you got to show up to practice, and practice hard” says Alec Harrold ’24, a member of the Varsity squad.
“Second thing is you got to make weight” Harrold says. There are 14 certified weight classes for boys wrestling in accordance with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). They range from 106 pounds to 285 pounds.
Harrold was unable to compete in the scrimmage due to a sprained shoulder, but Aj Camarillo ’24 had the opportunity to test his skills before the season. Camarillo thinks he could have performed better during the match.
“I don’t think I performed my very best to be honest. I think there’s a lot of areas I’ve got a lot to improve on” says Camarillo. Though there were some positives to takeaway from his contest. “But some of the shots I was getting to I liked them a lot” Camarillo says.
Camarillo competes in the Varsity 120 pound weight class. Maxwell Nelson ’25, a newcomer to the wrestling program this year, competes in the JV 138 pound weight class.
Nelson felt satisfied with the results from his first ever wrestling match. Nelson says, “I did pretty good. In my first match I didn’t do so well. I lost, but then in my second match I went against a kid from Dinuba and I won.” Nelson lost his first match with a score of 8 to 5, but bounced back with a victory by a pinning hold.
The Varsity wrestling squad will participate in one more matchday in November, travelling to Clovis West High School for the Clovis West Shootout on November 19. The JV team will also travel on the 19th, going to Farmersville for the Novice Invitational.
The novelty of the wrestling program and experience has been positive so far for Nelson. “I’m enjoying it, it’s fun. It’s hard, but it’s not back-breaking work” Nelson says.
All three of the wrestlers previously mentioned have their sights set on personal goals this season. “[I want to] get a ring this year and go to state” Camarillo says. “I want to win a tournament” says Nelson.
Harrold also has the same desire as Camarillo. Harrold says, “I want to qualify for state. Especially cause it’s the top 40 in the whole state, and qualifying for it is just a special thing.”
Lucas de Lima
Lucas de Lima, '25, is a proud managing editor and sports writer for the Redwood Gigantea. Outside of journalism, he is part of the FBLA and FFA organizations, as well as the tennis program. You can reach him by email at lucas.de3708@vusd.us
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