Wrestling with safety precautions

Stepping further into the season, the Diamond Bar Wrestling team has been making strong efforts at solidifying their skill and operating with the new COVID variant.

Due to the virus, the team’s practice routines have been altered from the start of the season. 

“COVID shut down our winter practices and now each week we have to get tested,” senior captain Ryan Wong said. “We have to be extra vigilant to avoid closure.”

Despite the lack of practices, many of the team’s players placed high in tournaments. Wong placed first at the Trabuco Hills Tournament, second at Mater Dei and fifth at Brea. Freshman Brently Macamay also placed second at Trabuco Hills and fourth at Brea. 

“My favorite thing about this season has been watching the new wrestlers grow and develop,” Wong said. 

The team is still focusing on enhancements that will land them a spot at this year’s CIF duals. During practice, they mainly focused on takedown drills to improve their performance.

“We reviewed over mistakes at past tournaments [to improve],” Wong said.

The team versed South Hills in their last home competition of the season. Despite many individuals winning their duals, the team ultimately lost the meet.

“Despite having a lot of holes at weights, a lot of our guys came through,” Wong said.