2006-07 San Diego Section
Dual of the Week


Grossmont South League

Cougars challenge, Norsemen prevail 36-27

Photo: Valhalla's Chris Thomas has his hands full against Steele Canyon's Ryan Pearl in spotlight matchup of 189-pounders

The visiting Valhalla Norsemen won the final three matches -- including the last two by fall -- to erase a 27-21 Steele Canyon lead en route to claiming a 36-27 victory Jan. 4 in the opening Grossmont South League dual meet of the 2006-07 season for both teams. The Cougars, in making an upset bid, held the lead on four occasions -- the first at 6-3 following a 1:24 fall administered by Dylan Sawyer at 125 pounds, then at 16-15 when J.B. Graff recorded a 4:53 pin at 152 pounds, then 22-18 following a 3:04 fall by Garret Estevane at 171 pounds. The teams were tied 21-21 (following a penalty point deduction charged to the host team) when Valhalla's Chris Thomas edged Steele Canyon's Ryan Pearl in the showcase match of the night at 189 pounds. The Cougars then took their fourth lead of the encounter on a 2:52 fall by Matt Norton at 215 pounds. But the Norsemen proved resilient, with heavyweight Jose Cortes positioning the visitors for a run at a victory when he defeated Steele Canyon's Robert Forrester, 2-1, on a pair of penalty points. Trailing 27-24, Valhalla then won the matchup of 103-pounders on a 1:39 pin by Charles Strampfer to move ahead 30-27. The outcome of the dual thus came down to the final match of the night at 112 pounds and Valhalla's Tony Espinoza recorded a fall at 3:16 to give the win to the orange-clad visitors.

Valhalla head coach Mark Gerardi credited his team with a gutsy performance as the team was missing the key brother tandem of Renzo and Franco Salazar, who were still on holiday vacation in Peru. "The guys who needed to win stepped up. We had a few gaps to fill and those guys wrestled tough," the Norsemen skipper said. "By the end of next week, we should be at full strength. But then we have Granite Hills and Monte Vista toward the end of the season. We're not done yet."

When asked if Valhalla can now add Steele Canyon to existing neighborhood rivalries with Monte Vista and Granite Hills, Gerardi answered in the affirmative. "It looks that way," he said. "They (the Cougars) wrestled real well tonight."

The Cougars and Norsemen paired up their top two individuals for the near-capacity crowd. Valhalla's Landon Holmes opened the dual at 119 pounds with an 8-4 decision against Steele Canyon's Caleb Cardenas that gave the visitors a 3-0 lead on the scoreboard. At 189 pounds, Thomas and Pearl stepped onto the mat as two of the top wrestlers in that weight class in the San Diego Section. Pearl recorded the first takedown to vibrant cheers from the partisan crowd and opened up a 3-0 edge on an escape from the starting position to face off the middle period. But Thomas got back in the match on a pair of penalty points (stalling and technical violation calls) awarded against Pearl. An ensuing takedown by Thomas gave the Valhalla wrestler a 4-3 lead at the end of the period and the Norseman's lead would soon balloon to 7-3 on an escape and stalling call (for two points) to start the final period. Pearl, appearing suddenly revitalized, scored a takedown to cut Thomas' lead to 7-5 but the Valhalla mat man reversed for two points to go up 9-5. Pearl subsequently recorded a reversal to return the deficit to two points and crept to within one point on the scoreboard, 9-8, when Thomas was charged with fleeing the mat. The wrestlers were brought back to the starting position but only 0.9 seconds remaining in the match.

The win by Thomas reduced Steele Canyon's lead to 22-21 but the score was then leveled when Pearl was charged with removing his singlet before leaving the mat.

"We knew it was going to be a good match," Gerardi said of the 189-pound marquee billing. "We knew it was going to be a battle. Both those guys should qualify for the state meet. They're two of the top guys in the section."

The Norsemen won nine of the 14 bouts but just three by fall. The key to victory was winning three one-point matches. Michael Quihuis decisioned Steele Canyon's James Giblin, 6-4, at 130 pounds. Waseem Sako eked out a 6-5 decision against the Cougars' J.B. Graff at 145 pounds. Shane Mallory defeated Steele Canyon's Kellen Dion on points 10-6. Thomas won 9-8 and Cortes also recorded a one-point victory besides Holmes' opening 8-4 win.

Photo: Valhalla's Shane Mallory recorded a 10-6 decision against Steele Canyon's Kellen Dion at 160 pounds to put the Norsemen ahead 18-16.

Wade Templeton had Valhalla's other pin in 3:49 at 135 pounds.

The Cougars collected four pins among their five mat victories. Kevin Doyle won by a 13-1 major decision at 140 pounds.

At the onset of the season, Steele Canyon coach Dale Siscon said the goal of his team was to capture this year's Grossmont South League title. Despite the setback, the Cougars' goal has to remain the same, considering pending matchups against traditional league giants Granite HiIlls and Monte Vista.

"Close but not good enough," Siscon said with a critical eye in evaluating his team's performance against the dynastic Norsemen. "Steele Canyon still has a lot to learn. You can't go out there and expect to out-muscle your opponent."

Valhalla, which has a bye next Thursday, heads to Five Counties Jan. 12-13. Steele Canyon is scheduled to compete in this Saturday's Monte Vista Invitational. The Norsemen tangle with Granite Hills on Feb. 1 and Monte Vista on Feb. 8. "This is just the beginning," Gerardi said.

Cougar country
Siscon, who has served two tours of duty at Mt. Miguel and also had coaching stints at El Capitan, Santana, Grossmont and USDHS, set the No. 1 goal at Steele Canyon, in his words, to "walk in with no forfeits at dual meets." Mission already accomplished in that regard. "Our second goal is to win league," he said. "We took third and fourth (in previous years). We should be first or second this year."

Siscon also would like to see the Cougars finished among the top six teams at the upcoming Division III championships and San Diego Masters and qualify as many as three or four wrestlers for the state tournament.

Such would constitute a record-breaking season for Steele Canyon.

Top grapplers thus far into the season include junior Caleb Cardenas (119), sophomore Dylan Sawyer (125), senior Justin Graff (152), senior Garret Estevane (171), senior Ryan Pearl (189) and senior Matt Norton (215). The elder Graff has already received a congressional recommendation to attend the Air Force Academy.

Up-and-coming wrestlers this season for Steele Canyon include freshman Dylan Lincoln (103), freshman Todd Graff (140), junior Connor Hanten (145), senior Kellen Dion (160). Also add to that list sophomore Cody Roland and heavyweight Robert Forrester.

The Cougars engineered a sixth-place team finish with five trophy-winners at the 2006 San Diego Holiday Classic. Cardenas (119), Justin Graff (152), Estevane (171) and Pearl (189) all tied with third-place finishes in their weights while Sawyer (125) tied for fourth. Estevane advanced to the semifinals, dropping a decision to eventual runner-up Dominic Grippo of San Pasqual.

At the preceding La Costa Canyon duals, Steele Canyon came home with a third-place team finish and 10 medalists: Lincoln (fourth, 103), Cardenas (second, 119), Sawyer (second, 125), Roland (third, 130), Todd Graff (fourth, 140), Hanten (fifth, 145), Justin Graff (second, 152), Dion (fifth, 160), Pearl (second, 189) and Norton (fifth, heavyweight).

As a team, the Cougars finished 4-1 with victories against El Cajon Valley (68-6), Montgomery (58-12), San Pasqual (56-30) amd Tesoro (54-15). Steele Canyon's lone dual setback on the day was against Ramona (37-34).

Dual Summary
Valhalla 36, Steele Canyon 27
Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007 at Steele Canyon High School
119: Landon Holmes (Valhalla) decisioned Caleb Cardenas (Steele Canyon) 8-4. Valhalla leads 3-0.
125: Dylan Sawyer (Steele Canyon) pinned Zack Maguire (Valhalla) 1:24. Steele Canyon leads 6-3.
130: Michael Quihuis (Valhalla) decisioned James Giblin (Steele Canyon) 6-4. Teams tied 6-6.
135: Wade Templeton (Valhalla) pinned Todd Graff (Steele Canyon) 3:49. Valhalla leads 12-6.
140: Kevin Doyle (Steele Canyon) major decisioned Richard Varshock (Valhalla) 13-1. Valhalla leads 12-10.
145: Waseem Sako (Valhalla) decisioned Connor Hanten (Steele Canyon) 6-5. Valhalla leads 15-10.
152: J.B. Graff (Steele Canyon) pinned Max Verduzco (Valhalla) 4:53. Steele Canyon leads 16-15.
160: Shane Mallory (Valhalla) decisioned Kellen Dion (Steele Canyon) 10-6. Valhalla leads 18-16.
171: Garret Estevane (Steele Canyon) pinned Nathan Pastore (Valhalla) 3:04. Steele Canyon leads 22-18.
189: Chris Thomas (Valhalla) decisioned Ryan Pearl (Steele Canyon) 9-8. Teams tied 21-21 after Steele Canyon receives deduction of one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.
215: Matt Norton (Steele Canyon) pinned Chris Wright (Valhalla) 2:52. Steele Canyon leads 27-21.
285: Jose Cortes (Valhalla) decisioned Robert Forrester (Steele Canyon) 2-1. Steele Canyon leads 27-24.
103: Charles Strampfer (Valhalla) pinned Ryan Doolittle (Steele Canyon) 1:39. Valhalla leads 30-27.
112: Tony Espinoza (Valhalla) pinned Michael Durham (Steele Canyon) 3:16. Valhalla wins 36-27.

JV dual: Steele Canyon 63, Valhalla 12.

Monarchs edge Cougars in tiebreaker
"What a match!" is all Monte Vista coach Steve Bulette could say after his Monarchs pulled out a tie-breaker decision against visiting Steele Canyon on Thursday, Jan. 18. The teams were tied 34-34 after 14 matches. Entering the final matchup of the evening at 103 pounds, Monte Vista found itself trailing by six points. However, Levi Annon recorded a fall to tie the team score. Each school had seven wins to further extend the tie-breaker. However, Monte Vista had three pins and one forfeit win while Steele Canyon had three pins. The Cougars' 112-pounder failed to make weight, leaving a hole for Steele Canyon in the lineup. Bulette also cited what he termed a "big match" at 119 pounds as Monarch senior Robert Grey went up a weight class to record an overtime victory against one of Steele Canyon's top wrestlers, Caleb Cardenas. The Monte Vista coach also cited an inspirational win at 160 pounds when Kenneth Tribble scored a fall as crucial to his team's fortunes. "We had a freshman wrestling his first varsity match ever ... and got a pin," Bulette said. Initially, the tie breaker was calculated incorrectly, Bulette said, leaving the forfiet out. "It's in the rule book (and) was corrected about 30 minutes later," he said.

Monte Vista remains undefeated in Grossmont South League dual meet competition following a previous win against Granite Hills while Steele Canyon just misses recording its second dual win this season against one of East County's legendary teams, Valhalla being the other. The upcoming Grossmont Conference championship finals should prove most interesting, to say the least, with so much parity reigning this season.

"Steele Canyon now adds a great dimension to our league," Bulette said. "This hasn't happened overnight though. The past coach had them on the right road for sure. They had improved over the last three years and had a great season last year. This year the new coaches, along with Andrew Sawyer, have done a great job of taking them to the next level. It is obvious that the kids have a new confidence that is growing each week I see them. The season is not over, just in the home stretch."


Highlights:
Note: scores unofficial.
112: Gabe Rios (Monte Vista) wins by forfeit. Monte Vista leads 6-0.
119: Robert Grey (Monte Vista) wins by decision over Caleb Cardenas (Steele Canyon) 6-4. Monte Vista leads 9-0.
125: Dylan Sawyer (Steele Canyon) wins by decision over Persio Morel (Monte Vista) 9-4. Monte Vista leads 9-3.
130: Hunter Beamon (Monte Vista) pins James Giblin (Steele Canyon). Monte Vista leads 15-3.
135: Todd Graff (Steele Canyon) wins by pin. Monte Vista leads 15-9.
140: Kevin Doyle (Steele Canyon) wins by technical fall. Monte Vista leads 15-14.
145: Connor Hanten (Steele Canyon) wins by technical fall. Steele Canyon leads 19-15.
152: Lonnie Alexander (Monte Vista) wins by decision over J.B. Graff (SC) 13-6. Steele Canyon leads 19-18.
160: Kenneth Tribble (MonteVista) wins by pin. Monte Vista leads 24-19.
171: Chris Eade (MtV) wins by a major decision over Garrett Estevane (SC) 17-6. Monte Vista leads 28-19.
189: Ryan Esquibel (Steele Canyon) wins by pin. Monte Vista leads 28-25.
215: Ryan Pearl (Steele Canyon) wins by decision over Norberto Cadena (Monte Vista) 9-2. Teams tied 28-28.
285: Robert Forester (Steele Canyon) pins Pepe Martinez (Monte Vista). Steele Canyon leads 34-28.
103: Levi Annon (MtV) pins Dylan Lincoln (Steele Canyon). Teams tied 34-34 (Monte Vista wins tie-breaker).

Cougars pin Eagles, 62-15
One out of three? Well, add an asterisk mark to at least one and a good effort in another in Steele Canyon's developing rivaly against Grossmont South League neighbors Valhalla, Monte Vista and Granite Hills High schools. The Cougars made it close against Valhalla, leading until the final two matches, and lost a tie-breaker decision against Monte Vista. But there was little doubt as to the outcome of Steele Canyon's Jan. 25 Grossmont South League matchup against Granite Hills: Cougars 62, Eagles 15. Steele Canyon won 11 of the 14 bouts, including nine by pin and another by technical fall, to squarely remain in the hunt for a top finish at the upcoming Grossmont Conference championship meet.

Cougar mat men coming away with victories included 112-pounder Matt Hughes (20-4 technical fall), 119-pounder Caleb Cardenas (pin), 125-pounder Dylan Sawyer (pin), 130-pounder James Giblin (pin), 135-pounder Todd Graff (pin), 140-pounder Connor Young (pin), 145-pounder Kevin Doyle (pin), 152-pounder Connor Hanten (9-6 decision), 171-pounder Garrett Estevane (pin), 215-pounder Ryan Pearl (pin) and heavyweight Robert Forester (pin). Granite Hills captured weights at 103 (Zach McClanahan by fall), 160 (Derek Cockrum by fall) and 189 (Justin Phillips by 3-1 decision against Ryan Esquibel).

Valhalla 42, Granite Hills 36
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 at Granite Hills High School
140: Colin Thomas (Valhalla) pinned Brent Harkins (Granite Hills). Valhalla leads 6-0.
145: Willy Horner (Granite Hills) pinned Steven Lewis (Valhalla). Teams tied 6-6.
152: Jacob Castillo (Granite Hills) decisioned Waseem Sako (Valhalla) 8-3. Granite Hills leads 9-6.
160: Derek Cockrum (Granite Hills) wins by 11-4 decision. Granite Hills leads 12-6.
171: Nathan Pastore (Valhalla) pinned Jason Ladnier (Granite Hills). Teams tied 12-12.
189: Justin Phillips (Granite Hills) wins by forfeit. Granite Hills leads 18-12.
215: Chris Wright (Valhalla) pinned Steven Rouleau (Granite Hills). Teams tied 18-18.
285: Joe Savala (Granite Hills) pinned Jeremy Flesner (Valhalla). Granite Hills leads 24-18.
103: Zach McClanahan (Granite Hills) pinned Charles Strampfer (Valhalla). Granite Hills leads 30-18.
112: Tony Espinoza (Valhalla) pinned Brock Janneberg (Granite Hills). Granite Hills leads 30-24.
119: Landon Holmes (Valhalla) pinned Dylan Rubio (Granite Hills). Teams tied 30-30.
125: Zack Maguire (Valhalla) pinned Ryan Garat (Granite Hills). Valhalla leads 36-30.
130: Leo Ruffino (Valhalla) pinned John Elliott (Granite Hills). Valhalla leads 42-30.
135: Ryan Bender (Granite Hills) wins by forfeit. Valhalla wins 42-36.