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Open challenge matches kick off year
Kurtis J. Wood/sports@qvpr.com
Isais Jimenez defeated Spencer Elmore to claim the varsity spot at 145 pounds.
The Jacks kicked off the wrestling season with the third annual Quincy High School Green & Gold dual on Tuesday.
There were 10 varsity challenge matches on the docket, which meant coming in the Jacks had four weight brackets decided
going into the challenges. The team opens with Warden on Friday and the Bob Mars Invite in Kennewick on Saturday.
With the addition of the 15-member girls team, the wrestling program has ballooned to 68 wrestlers this season. That meant there were a bunch of exibition matches Tuesday - 24 in all. With all the action, they gave the coaches, wrestlers and fans of the sport their first look at the new weight brackets adopted this season.
Weight matters
Weight does matter, both locally and nationally.
The National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Rules Committee approved a weight class shuffle for high school wrestling. Basically, the new classes are gaining weight and leaving the little guy with less opportunities.
This is the kind of move that may have an impact on the Quincy High School wrestling team. Over the past few years, the Jacks have been a lighter team, having difficulty fielding a full squad. The problem is finding heavier wrestlers.
“That’s the hard part,” third-year head coach Greg Martinez said. “Even a little guy could participate, so they took a little of that away.
“But I understand.”
A national study over the past few years resulted in 11 new weight classes and keeping just three: 145, 152 and 160 pounds. The idea was to spread out the wrestlers evenly across the weight spectrum.
“So 7.1 percent of the population should be in every weight class,” Martinez said.
The new weight classes by pounds are as follows: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285.
The classes were: 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215 and 285.
The team
The Quincy coaches will once again be challenged to fill the heavier weight brackets. At this time, the Jacks will fill just two of the upper weights. Freshman Ian Allen and senior first-year wrestler Diego Garcia will fill the 195 and 285 spots respectively. To open the first week, Quincy will forfeit the 220-pound weight class.
They will be able to fill the rest of the weights and the key returner will kick off the Jacks at 106 pounds, Gabe Martinez. The junior was 27-12 last season and placed fifth in state.
He earned the varsity spot by defeating Victor Salgado by a second-period fall.
At 113 pounds, junior Christian Alejandrez defefated Estefany Chavarin by a first-period pin. Alejandrez was 21-13 last season. It was one of two matches that one of the girls challenged for a varsity spot.
“They still have the right to challenge for a spot on the boys varsity,” Martinez said, despite having their own team. The girls have tournaments on the schedule, but do not have their own league matches.
At 120 pounds, freshman John Lindquist defeated Jesus Guzman 15-0.
At 126 pounds, senior Hector Avalos pinned Daniel Vasquez by a first-period fall.
At 132 pounds, Uriel Heras pinned Gerrardo Guzman in the third round. Heras was 21-15 last season.
At 138 pounds, senior Gerry Benitez pinned Jesus Sarabia.
At 145 pounds, sophomore Isais Jiminez pinned Spencer Elmore in the second round.
At 152 pounds, freshman Andy Vargas defeated Ramiro Alvarez 4-0.
At 160 pounds, freshman Cade Wallace pinned Samm Garcia in the first round.
At 170 pounds, sophomore Antonio Meldendez did not have a challenge match. Melendez was 19-17 last season.
At 182 pounds, freshman Steven Gomez pinned Austin Morris in the third round.
At 195 pounds, freshman Ian Allen did not have a challenge match.
At 220 pounds, no match.
At 285 pounds, senior Diego Garcia did not have a challenge match.
Quick outlook
According to Martinez, the Jacks are at the minimum in the top half of the league and if they can get their bigger wrestlers eligible, they could be even better.
“We definitely have a chance to be in the top half and if we can get our heavyweights going, then the top-3,” he said.
A difference maker the past few years has been the addition of the after-practice club. They had 10 the first year, 12 last season and have more than doubled that to open this season. The “Culture Club” adds 20-30 minutes of extra time after practice lets out.
“We have 29 who have started it this year,” Martinez said. “(Wrestling) takes hard work and you need to put in the extra time.”
Quincy opens the season this weekend and will have back-to-back home matches Dec. 15 and 16.
