Wrestlers return to season after two years
The team stays optimistic following success at their first tournament this year.
With high hopes and potent training, the Diamond Bar High School wrestling team enters into their season following last year’s pandemic hiatus.
The team competed in their first competition—the Trabuco Ten Way Tournament—at Trabuco Hills High School on Nov. 19.
“It’s definitely a learning experience,” head coach Andre Bonafe said. “The main goal was to get much needed mat time especially since we haven’t been able to compete since the 2019-2020 season.”
However, two wrestlers, senior captain Ryan Wong and sophomore Brentley Macamay, placed on the podium with Wong being first in the 138 pounds weight division and Macamay being second in the 132 pounds weight division.
“We did a lot of conditioning prior to the season,” Wong said. “Individually, I lifted a lot and wrestled outside of school.”
Wong’s performance surprised Coach Bonafe, as he fought his way through an overtime period and returned with five consecutive wins.
“In the OT [overtime] match, I definitely should have wrestled better,” Wong said. “Regardless, I pulled through in OT to take the win.”
Wong is currently ranked 17th in the state for his weight class. Nonetheless, the majority of the wrestling team this year consist of underclassmen with little to no experience.
“We are hoping to have a shot at CIF duals this year as a team,” Bonafe said. “[I’m] also expecting to have two make it to the prestigious master tournament.”
A placement in the master tournament will guarantee a spot in the state championship, where the Brahmas have not been to in several years.
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