Experienced individuals advance to masters
Seniors Conner Diamond and Moises Gamez competed at CIF Masters last weekend.
Though they did not make CIF as a team, many members of Diamond Bar High School’s wrestling team still managed to earn spots in the playoffs as individuals.
The team’s top wrestlers, seniors Connor Diamond and Moises Gamez, placed first at the Mt. Baldy League Finals to qualify for the post-season tournament.
“I just told myself to do whatever I have to do in the match to win, and just to go with the flow of the match,” Diamond said.
At CIF on Feb. 9 at Carter High School, Diamond placed second in the 132 lbs. weight class and Gamez placed fourth in the 185 lbs. weight class after qualifying the day before.
Accompanying them were freshman Ryan Wong and senior Antonio Diones who both placed 8th.
“I learned that to be a good wrestler you have to have a great mindset, and that goes for everything in life,” Gamez said via Instagram.
At the CIF Masters Tournament last weekend at Cerritos College, neither Diamond nor Gamez placed.
“Connor did great but his last match could have had a different outcome, but he already knows what he needs to work on,” Gamez said after CIF.
Diamond and Gomez didn’t make it to state, but still gained the opportunity to wrestle at a higher level than previous years.
“Last year I found it really hard just to get by, and this year I’m just cruising and I keep on getting better,” Diamond said. “Last year I placed 7th and I wasn’t able to go to Masters, but I’m glad I get to go this year.”
Although the team is male-dominated, girls such as junior Sooyeon Eun and junior Yanti Liang made it to the first round of CIF on Feb. 8.
The Brahmas ended with a 3-2 record in the Mt. Baldy League and had 10 wrestlers making it to CIF Division Championships after going against teams such as Don Lugo High School and Montclair High School who defeated the team 44-36 at the beginning of the season.
Earlier in the season coach Andre Bonafe anticipated wrestlers making it to CIF.
“We [the team] definitely will have multiple people going to CIF. I also expect to have few break through to the CIF Masters tournament.”
With graduation around the corner, seniors like Gamez are reflecting on the outcome of their last season.
“I feel like this year was a lot better but I think that we didn’t end the season the way we wanted to,” Gamez said.
Your donation will support the student journalists of Diamond Bar High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.