2005-06 Metro Conference Preview:
Eastlake Titans are still rebuilding but still dangerous

By Phillip Brents
Updated Dec. 12, 2005

Eastlake wrestling coach Troy Vierra calls this season a “rebuilding” one but with sights still set on accomplishing a few lofty goals.

“We think we will challenge for the Mesa League championship. We know that Bonita Vista will be tough. But both are young squads. This is a rebuilding year but we feel we have done a good job of building. We will have some guys (who make an impact) not only this year but also for a few more years,” Vierra said.

Headlining the Titans’ returning talent are senior Eric Abordo and junior Hawk Thompson.

Abordo, who expects to compete at either 125 or 130 pounds, qualified for last season’s San Diego Section Masters state qualifying tournament. Thompson, who finished runner-up at the Metro Conference championships with an overtime loss as a freshman, appears ready to pick up where he left off two seasons ago ater being sidelined last season by injury.
After two tournaments this season, Abordo had gotten off to a fast start with a 7-1 record.

Vierra said the team’s biggest surprise this season could come from sophomore Donald Jimenez (125), who won last year’s 119-pound JV county championship.

Other wrestlers who should impact the lineup include sophomores Lamar Dent (103), Tony Denegall (112), A.J. Romero (152-160) and Luis Castro (189), juniors Donald Cowles (152), Ryan Zacharzuk (160-171) and Justin Kim (heavyweight) and seniors Stephen Cooker (145) and Tim Dombrowski (119-125).

Zacharzuk is a third-year wrestler who Vierra said should finally shine this season while Dombrowski, last year’s 112-pound conference JV champion, is the team’s lone four-year wrestler.

Abordo opened the season with a third-place finish at the Mar Vista Battle by the Beach tournament on Dec. 3, though Eastlake brought only a handful of wrestlers to the 31-team mat clash because of a conflict with SAT testing.

The Titans did get to showcase this season’s team at the inaugural South Bay Face-Off on Dec. 7. The event featured double dual meets between Eastlake and Bonita Vista from the Mesa League against Hilltop and Mar Vista from the South Bay League. Vierra said the idea was to bring together four of the top teams in the conference, with teams from the respective leagues competing head-to-head in non-league duals.

Eastlake finished 1-1 with a 48-34 victory against Mar Vista and a 41-33 loss to Hilltop. In the latter dual against the two-time defending South Bay League champion Lancers, the Titans held an early 21-8 lead, still held a lead with four matches remaining and still had a chance for a win with a victory in the heavyweight match.

Four Titans — Lamar Dent (112), Eric Abordo (135/140), Hawk Thompson (145) and Ryan Zacharzuk (171) — went undefeated in the two duals. Eastlake never trailed in its opening dual win against Mar Vista, which is shooting to end Hilltop’s two-year reign as South Bay League champions. Eastlake racked up eight pins against the Mariners and had three falls against the Lancers, giving up six pins to Hilltop.

Thompson and Zacharzuck each registered two pins while Abordo racked up one fall and a key 6-3 decision against Hilltop’s Javier Martinez, a reigning Metro Conference weight class champion.

“I was happy with the way we wrestled. We wrestled tough. We have a feisty team,” Vierra said. “We surprised Mar Vista. We were right in there against Hilltop. We knew we were the underdogs.”

Eastlake Titans profiles

Wrestler: Eric Abordo
School: Eastlake Titans
Grade: 12

2004-05 Season
3rd Mesa Leauge, 119 pounds
4th Metro Conference, 119 pounds
7th San Diego Section Division I, 119 pounds

2005-06 Outlook
Abordo considers his strength at being able to wrestle well off bottom. He hopes to use that coveted defensive attribute, as well as his ability as a strong leg-rider, to score further success this season. His goals include contending for a divisional title as well as a a spot in the Masters finals and a state qualifying berth. This is his third year in the Eastlake program, so the experience is there. Bundled with enthusiasm and talent, it will be interesting to follow how his quest turns out this season.

Coach's comment
"He has come a long way from the inexperienced wrestler he was as a sophomore. He exudes confidence, however. As long as he stays committed, the sky is the limit this year." (Bob Hughes).

Wrestler: Hawk Thompson
School: Eastlake Titans
Grade: 11

2003-04 Season
2nd Metro Conference (at Castle Park)
5th Division III (at Castle Park)
3rd state freestyle

2004-05 Season
Did not compete due to injury.

2005-06 Outlook
After placing second in the 2004 Metro Conference finals (in overtime) as a freshman, it appeared this young man was destined for a great future on the mat. He still could be despite missing all of last season because of knee surgery after suffering a torn miniscus during the football season. Thompson competed as a freshman at Castle Park but transferred to Eastlake as a sophomore. Originally from Northern California, he has been wrestling since the third grade. Before moving, he showed his potential by placing second at the Cadet state finals "I had a bad temper. It was a way to relieve that (by wrestling)," he said. He has since attended wrestling camps in an effort to make up for lost time and hopes to put what he picked up there to good use this season. "I like the physical aspect, I like the intensity, the training. It's made me a better person," he said.

Coach's comment
"It was tough on him being out last year. He was very disappointed. We're looking to him for a lot of leadership. Because he was second in Metro as a freshman, we're hoping he can be back up to form quick." (Bob Hughes)