The Diamond Bar High School varsity boys wrestling team left the Hacienda League with an impressive record of 4-1 last year. Now as a competitor in the Palomares League, the Brahmas look to become the league champions after a 2-2 start to the season.

“We have our basics established and we’re just continuing to review and [stay] mentally focused on the strategies which the guys have,” coach Donny Palmer Sr. commented. “We have a lot of guys that are doing well right now, probably half the guys will place in all the tournaments coming up. We’re planning on winning all of those matches.”

For the past couple of weeks, the Brahmas have participated in several duals and tournaments, placing ninth out of 35 teams at the Arroyo Varsity Tournament, and participated in the 5 Counties Varsity Tournament, a prestigious wrestling tournament where only the best of the best are allowed to compete. The wrestling coaches chose seniors Donny Palmer Jr. and Derrick Moss to represent Diamond Bar and compete in the 5 Counties Tournament but neither of them placed. Varsity wrestling also placed fifth out of 20 teams in the Troy High School Tournament. Moss and senior Jeff Lin both placed first in their weight classes at the Troy Tournament.

After beating South Hills 56-16 and Claremont 76-0, but losing to Bonita 45-26, Diamond Bar is 2-1 in the Palomares league. During the Claremont duel, the varsity boys beat the opposing team in every weight class. Junior Ryan Mendez, however, obtained a neck injury after a Claremont wrestler used an illegal suplex move. Suplex moves involve lifting up the opponent and either slamming them to the ground or throwing them across the mat.
In the match against Bonita on Senior Night, only five of the Brahma wrestlers were able to gain points for DB.

To condition for these events, coach Palmer trains the wrestlers every day, having them perfect various techniques. Varsity practiced for over three hours to work on their forms. Some dedicated members come back to school and train a couple more hours to improve their individual skills and get more solo training, such as Palmer, Moss, and Lin.
“We expect to do well in the upcoming tournaments. Two of our better wrestlers are attending a tougher tournament but the remaining wrestlers are well prepared to wrestle,” Lin stated via Facebook.

Six returning veterans from last year’s pool of varsity wrestlers that went to CIF bring back their experiences to add an advantage against other teams: seniors Palmer, Lin, Moss, Jesse Dicken, and juniors Leighlan Corpus, and Ian Campbell. Palmer competed at National High School Coaches’ Association nationals for USA wrestling against 1000 competitors and ranked in the Top 25.

“As a team I think we’re doing well. We just have some setbacks with some injuries. But we have a very good chance in winning league and getting the team to CIF,” Palmer Jr. said.
Tomorrow, the Brahmas will play their fourth league game at Glendora High School. Their final game will take place away at Ayala High School. CIF duals will also commence next week.