In the Herald-Zeitung This Week: NB, Canyon wrestlers ready for mats By Pat Turner New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung | Posted: Thursday, November 20, 2014 12:34 am New Braunfels and Canyon’s wrestlers have big goals this season. Both teams are young but, while lacking in experience they do have talent and enthusiasm. The Unicorns and Cougars are hoping to use those traits as building blocks to success. The real fun doesn’t take place until the District 14-6A Meet in February. Those who finish in the top four advance to the Region IV Meet where they’ll be battling for trips to the State Meet. It will be a tough grind, beginning with a stacked district, which includes Austin schools Stephen F. Austin, Akins, Anderson, Bowie, Lake Travis and Westlake, along with Leander Rouse, Pflugerville, Pflugerville Hendrickson and Round Rock McNeil. New Braunfels and Canyon intend to be at their best when the time arrives. “It’s still early, so we’re working on fundamentals and technique,” New Braunfels coach Adam Sandoval said. “This part of the season we’re focusing on getting where we need to be. It is a process. We’re building.” New Braunfels and Canyon are getting tested this week. The two teams had dual matches with Westlake and Georgetown Wednesday. This weekend the Unicorns and Cougars compete in the Capital Classic in Austin. This was Canyon’s debut. New Braunfels began its season this past week and gave a strong showing during a 2-1 record in dual competition. The Unicorns defeated Akins, 48-15, and Killeen Shoemaker, 45-15, while losing to San Antonio Wagner, 39-23. Top performances came from Parker Rivers (106 pounds), Jaden Staats (160), Raoul Romero (170) and Jacob Goodner (182), who all went 3-0. Logan Jackson (113) and Chris Watson (138) turned in impressive 2-1 marks. In the girls’ competition, Gabby Hernandez (138) registered a 3-1 mark and Kianna Diaz (119) was 2-2. “For the first competition of the season I was happy with our effort,” Sandoval said. “Our effort and toughness was there. It was a good way to start. We went out and competed pretty well. I like this team. We have a good mix of juniors and seniors and a great group of freshmen and sophomores who will help us out. “These kids are really coachable. They work hard and are eager to improve. I’m excited about the season.” Sandoval also looks for strong performances from Gabe Gaona (120), Cole Acker (152), Ernie Garza (145) and 195-pound participants Alec Parker and Nik Vital. Help also comes from Leilani Vital (148) in the girls. Canyon’s numbers are slightly down this season, but coach Ron Baker looks to add more depth during the next several weeks, However, he is encouraged by the ones currently competing. “We need to fill some weight classes,” Baker said. “We had some injuries. Some kids decided they didn’t want to wrestle. Another moved away. We’ll be fine. The kids we have are working hard and I expect others to come out and contribute.” The Cougars have several wrestlers with the potential to reach the Region IV Meet. Thomas Lyons, who competes in the 126-pound weight class, headlines Canyon’s boys. His brother Zach is sidelined with an injury, but Baker is hoping the talented wrestler returns to compete in the 138-pound class. Canyon’s lineup also features Austin Lacey (132), C.J. Dunning (152), who won the 145 title at the district meet last year, Deangelo Mendez (170) and freshmen Derek Reyna (106) and Josh Myers (160). Although Myers is making his varsity debut, he has already made an impression on the wrestling circuit while winning a recent national title in Tulsa with the New Braunfels Wrestling Club. “Josh has a lot of experience,” Baker said. “He’s won national titles and I expect him to be a four-time participant at the state meet. The guys we have are going to be solid. We have some young kids who just came from football. They’re working hard and picking things up really well.” Canyon’s girls’ squad has its bright spots with Amanda Robledo (110), Raegan Carrillo (119), Savanah Worthey (128), Chelsea Guerrero (148), Kyhra Carrillo (148) and Erika Reyna (185). Raegan Carrillo, Worthey and Guerrero competed at nationals this past summer with Team Texas. “Our slogan this year is, Its not about winning, it’s about dominating,” Baker said. “We want to dominate each match every time we wrestle. We have to keep working. “This weekend we’ll be looking to see how we do on our fundamentals and improve on the things we worked on in the offseason. Last year we couldn’t keep people down. (Opponents) would get away from us, but we couldn’t get away from them. That’s the two things we are working. I am seeing a big improvement.”
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 02:25:04 +0000
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