Aspiring to accomplish their goal of a Valley League title, the wrestlers pulled through on Jan. 22 against San Marcos, fighting to a 38-29 victory.

The team started off slow with a loss in the first match with Joey Brennan (9). Although he struggled through the first two periods, he pushed back as the crowd erupted, bringing him motivation.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough for the win, but Alex Jesme (11) followed Brennan, pinning his opponent for a quick victory. The rest of the matches went back and forth, keeping the score tied.

“Our coach wanted us to go out there and be aggressive and go after them which a lot of us didn’t do very well,” said Mike Manuche (10). “We kind of wrestled defensively and San Marcos came out and went after us instead of the other way around.”

When Westview was down, Frank Criger (12) knew that he needed to step up and help the team fight for their success.

“I felt really ready to wrestle because I watched the rest of the team go out there and not really perform well,” Criger said. “So I was just ready to go out there and do my thing.”

In the final match, James Prutzman (11) went up against his fellow heavy-weight competitor needing to hold him for the win. Prutzman took his time to make his move, pinning his opponent, smiling the entire time, as the crowd erupted in pride.

“It’s our house,” Prutzman said. “And we’re not going to let that kid take the win.”

The team went in feeling ready to beat San Marcos for the second time. However, according to Coach Perry Watson, this confidence may have led to the team’s performance level declining.

“I felt the Varsity wrestlers were a little over-confident,” Watson said. “We need to be ready and focused and not take any team lightly. That’s what I hope the kids take away from that match.”

The Wolverines have two more matches left, against Ramona and their rivals Mt. Carmel. If they win both, the team will be in the running for the Valley League title.

“It will be the last match of the season,” Watson said. “We have never beaten MC before and I feel this year is the year, at our home gym and on senior night. It’s going to be a very exciting match.”