Warrior matmen win Coyote Classic
Warrior matmen win Coyote Classic
By: by Tom Shea, Sports Reporter
Description: Tehachapi stuns Kern County with big tourney win
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 956 times
0 responses 0 comments Some of the best wrestling programs in the entire state are right here in Kern County. Traditionally, the most defining tournament of the pre-season that separates the best from the rest is the East High Coyote Classic.
This past weekend, Tehachapi won that tournament.
“These kids just fought and worked their butts off,” said assistant coach Desi Lovenguth. “The younger guys just stepped in there well, it was a total team effort.”
The final team point standings in the top four showed champion Tehachapi with 155 points, followed by East with 152 points, Centennial with 141 points, and Liberty with 134.5 points.
The event featured 25 schools (21 from Kern County) and over 300 wrestlers in competition. The Warriors’ Marcus Abarquez, Jason Hail and Jared Steinbach won their respective weight classes.
Hail became the first tourney champion for the Warriors, pinning his South opponent at the 1:18 mark of the 140-pound final. Steinbach registered a 6-2 decision over his Arvin counterpart at 119 pounds, and Marcus Abarquez capped the night with a 19-15 victory over his Shafter foe.
“We had guys that won, but really we had some guys that just stepped up and got us some key points,” said head coach Tony Keller. “Guys like James St. John, who defeated a guy (from Centennial) that was ranked third in the masters coming in, that’s what put us over the edge.”
Tehachapi will continue their tournament rounds these next few months, with the Zinkin (Buchanan) just wrapped up this past weekend and the Lemoore Bash scheduled for Dec 28 and 29. The Warriors will also have a pivotal South Sequoia League duel meet with Arvin on Jan. 9, with the team victor likely in the driver’s seat to take the league title.
“We are having a great deal of success and that’s due to a lot of people buying into this program,” added Keller. “We want people to come out to the gym and see these guys, it’s a special group. We also are grateful for all the support, especially the Warrior Boosters who have helped us a great deal financially.”
Coyote Classic Team Results
103: Cosmo Balassa – 4-3 overall record, fifth place
112: Ernesto DeZubiria – 0-5 overall record
119: Jared Steinbach – 7-0 overall record, first place
125: Sergio Martinez – 6-1 overall record, third place
130: Adam Moreno – 0-3 overall record
135: Luke Stone – 0-4 overall record
140: Jason Hail – 7-0 overall record, first place
145: James St. John – 5-2 overall record, fourth place
152: Eric Harroun – 4-3 overall record, seventh place
171: Tyler Hack – 6-1 overall record, second place
189: Marcus Abarquez – 6-1 overall record, first place
Hvwt: Niko Taliulu – 0-4 overall record
Team Score: Tehachapi 155 Points
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