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Jesse Delgado became the first Gilroy High wrestling alumnus in history to garner All-American status after placing seventh at the NCAA National Championships in St. Louis over the weekend.

Delgado, a 2009 Gilroy graduate, defeated Steve Bonanno of Hofstra in the seventh/eighth-place match, 3-1, to cap his first appearance at nationals with a 4-2 record.

He assessed the newfound success with a typical Delgado-esque response – always grateful yet rarely satisfied.

“I mean, I guess it’s good that I am an All-American as a freshman, but the goal for sure was a national championship,” the University of Illinois redshirt freshman said.

The three-day tournament began with Delgado, the fourth-seeded 125-pounder, beating Jerome Robinson of Old Dominion University by decision, 6-1. He then pinned Camden Eppert (Purdue) at the 5 minute, 12 second mark of the third period to advance into the quarterfinals, where Delgado suffered his first loss of the tournament – barely.

Facing No. 5 Nicholas Bedelyon (Kent State), a late escape and takedown sent Delgado to an 8-5 loss in triple overtime.

Needing a victory to get into the medal round, Delgado encountered No. 3 Alan Waters of Missouri and outlasted him 5-2. After a narrow 4-3 defeat to Stanford’s Ryan Mango (the Pac-12 125-pound champion), Delgado closed out the tourney on a positive note with his win against Bonanno.

“People build up the tournament, but I wasn’t overwhelmed,” Delgado said.

Delgado concluded his freshman campaign with Illinois with a 34-8 overall record, including a third place finish at the Big 10 tournament for the No. 5-ranked Illini.

“I’m obviously disappointed with the way the season ended, but glad I was able to experience all of it with my coaches, teammates and family.”

While with the Mustangs, Delgado was a four-time Central Coast Section champion, four-time state medalist and the 2009 state champion.

• Another GHS alum, Dominic Kastl, also wrestled in St. Louis. The 2012 Pac-12 167-pound champion finished his national tournament with a 2-2 record. Kastl, who wrestled his senior year for GHS, was a four-time CCS champion in high school – three of those coming at St. Francis. At the Pac-12 Championships last month, Kastl (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) won by an 8-1 decision over Bret Baumbach of Stanford for the conference title.

Day One

7:43am Coach Greg:NCAA’s we got Jesse Delgado U of illinois and Dominic Kastl Cal Poly.

8:14 

Coach Greg: 85 degrees a sea of wrestling peeps waiting to get in. This might be wut heaven is like.

Coach Greg: Jesse Lil Man Delgado

8:58am Coach greg http://www.espn3.com“>www.espn3.com has Ryan Flores mat 2# ill Text when Lil man and Dom come up

9:21am Coach Greg: http://www.espn3.com“>www.espn3.com has Jesse Coming up on Mat 2

11:14am Coach Greg: Big Dom Kastl upsets Cody Yohn of Minnesota in his 1st match. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa baby I love it love it. You gotta believe baby!!!!!!!!!!!!! As always go Mustangs

12:24pm  Coach Greg: Session 1 is wrapping up. Jesse and Dom will be up session 2 at 6pm or 4pm ur time. They will do pig tail conso than championship rnd than conso rnd. C U L8R  

“If you can’t find the time to teach a boy something good someone will find the time to teach him something Bad” Gilroy Hawks

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Native Americans believed a VISION QUEST to be a spiritual Journey in which one can seek and find the path he or she is destined to travel upon.  The similarities between that cultural phenomenon and our great sport of wrestling are amazing, but even more so if you compare it with the awesome journey our Gilroy Mustang wrestlers were on during their trip to the CIF State Championships in Bakersfield this past weekend.

For Example, blowing of the conch and traveling with helpers that give you all the tools you’ll need to go on your journey signified the beginning of the vision quest.  To this old Mustang there is nothing more exciting than the singing of the National anthem on Friday of the State meet…or any big tournament for that matter…The butterflies start to swell in the pit of your stomach as the announcer asks for coaches and wrestlers to “clear the mats!” Beads of sweat drip down your face as you are warming up in the tunnel…Some last second instructions and encouragement from two familiar faces that are always in your corner when you need them…you strip down to your singlet and headgear, and with a couple of self inflicted slaps in the face to make sure you’re awake, a handshake, and a whistle blow…your journey starts.

A warrior on his vision quest is continually reminded that the trials and tribulations he is presented throughout his travels down this path are suffered and overcome not only for himself but for his people.  Down 3-2 with 7 seconds left in the semi finals of the state championships, Nikko Villereal was once again reminded he had a tribe he could lean on whenever he needed to. As you can see in this picture not only is Nikko happy with his efforts but his Father, Jason and coach Bill Fox are over joyed  that their athlete just won by last second PIN….and if you look real closely you can see Coach Mar in the upper right hand corner jumping out of his seat (as were 10,000 other people) with his arms in the air like his O’L BACK was healed by a televangelist.

It is customary for the man on his journey to fast with no food or water for 4 days in order to see their vision and complete their mission. There isn’t a wrestler that I have ever met that hasn’t fasted in some way shape or form during their wrestling career in order to make weight for a big tournament, especially the state championships. 

The similarities continue on and on….sitting in a sweat lodge, usually 6 vision questers stay together (coincidently Gilroy sent 6 wrestlers to the State tournament), the blowing of the conch (whistle) signifies the end of the vision quest (having your hand raised…is there a greater feeling?)and warriors are allowed to break their fast with a feast of water , nuts and berries….(Nikko wons his state title and proceeded to the snack bar to buy a slushee…you have never seen a kid more happy in your entire life) ….and lastly the entire tribe joins together in song and prayer to honor receiving something good…With three wrestlers in the finals and 2 winning state titles, you could say they received something good!!!

My Account

The night of the finals started off with a bang at 103lbs…a returning state champ lost to a freshman that was undefeated on the season.  In a mad scramble in the last 3 seconds, the freshman pulled out the win.  Then the first of Gilroy’s three finalists took the mat in Paul Fox.  Paul is a junior and suffered an injury in the semifinals; a fractured collar bone.  Paul decided to take the mat and see what would happen.. it was visible that he was a bit shaken and wasn’t wrestling like his normal self. Although Paul does not like or is he happy with losing…he seemed very pleased to have a 2^nd place finish. The good news is……he’s only a junior and will be back stronger than ever next year.

Then the fireworks came.  In the most anticipated match up of the year, Nikko stepped on the mat to try and prevent history. I had never heard 10,000 people be so quiet ..it was like everyone was on the edge of their seat holding their breath at the same time. The match didn’t really start until the second period when Cisneros (3x defending champ) chose bottom.  He got a quick escape and then 30 seconds later got a takedown to lead 3-0.  Now in my opinion, the takedown shouldn’t have happened and a stalemate should have been called at the edge of the mat.  Third period there was no hesitation and Nikko chose neutral.  Heres where I insert my armchair referee skills again…I think that Cisneros should have been called for stalling at least 2-3 times in the 3^rd period.  Either way he was protecting a lead and was on his way to a 4^th state title.  With 10 seconds left everyone in the arena began to stand and applaud the second ever 4x state champ….and then the throw heard ‘round the world….Nikko took an over hook with about seven seconds left and went for a swinging lateral drop…he missed the under hook but caught the head and the 3x champ went for a ride…takedown, 2points…it seemed as if the entire stadium was waiting for Cisneros to roll through, to fight off, to something….but the referee began the near fall count 1,2,3,4,5. 3points near fall….in an instant my mind flashed back to the days of the Gilroy hawks and traveling all over the country to wrestle the toughest tournaments, back to being a south valley tiger and chanting SV! (clap clap) SV! (clap clap) SV every time we got on the bus to go to a dual meet, to bursting out of the locker room to some fast music and wrestling under the spot light as a Mustang….and in that one moment…that 10 seconds on the stage in front of all those people, that kid pulled off everything you and I ever dreamed of and became a state champion in the most dramatic fashion possible. 

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Just like his personality, Willy Fox won his Championship in quiet, non -assuming, almost business as usual fashion.  Does that mean he wanted it any less than his team mates or anyone else wrestling in the tournament…not one bit…After all he did dominate his finals match 8-1.  To me, it meant that if anything, he wanted it more than everyone else.  If anyone that has ever reminded me of the guy that we all grew up wanting to be (Kordell Baker) it is State Champ Willy Fox.  Willy seems shy at first and doesn’t really have much to say…doesn’t get too excited about much and doesn’t like having the attention on him.  He is continually trying to figure out what he can do to work harder, get better, and help his team mates achieve their goals. If you walk in to the wrestling room during practice there is no doubt who the leader, heart and soul of that team is. It’s not too often you find that kind of integrity, dedication and poise in a kid and he definitely demonstrates all of the qualities to be successful in the military…Willy has maintained a 4.0 GPA through high school and is headed to the Naval Academy after graduation. 

All in all, I would say that I have never been more proud to be a GHS Wrestling Alumni and we couldn’t have picked a better time to rekindle our belief in the TRADITION that is wrestling in Garlic Town!

Yours in wrestling,  

Matt Corona

Throughout sports history there have been many organizations that can be labeled a “dynasty”.  Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees, Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers, Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics, but there is only one dynasty that can boast and unprecedented 10 consecutive championships….Willie Fox and the Gilroy High School Mustangs.

Over the weekend, Gilroy had 6 wrestlers qualify for the State tournament and a slew of others place in the top 6 to score team points.  With a score of 241 the Mustangs dominated the tournament winning by over 100 points.  Paul Fox, Willie Fox and Nikko Villereal all won individual titles with Victor Olmos placing 2^nd.  Jesse Vasquez (106) and Jose Lara (Hwt) also qualified by placing 3^rd in their weight classes respectively.  Together these 6 warriors will make the journey to Bakersfield, CA this upcoming weekend with the hopes of continuing to bring home hardware from major tournaments. 

VISION QUEST

There is only one man that can boast the title of 4x California State Champion.  Darrel Vasquez of Bakersfield High School accomplished that feat a few years back and this weekend another grappler looks to do the same.  When Vasquez was a junior he decided to chase another 3x champion in Jacob Palomino of Independence HS and went down a weight class at the end of the year.  Vasquez wanted to leave his mark on the record books and did just that by beating Palomino, preventing him from being the first 4 timer. Alex Cisneros, of Selma, is a 3x state champion and is somewhat favored to win his 4^th title.  However, there is a Mustang that is on a VISION QUEST of his own and is trying to chase down a champion.  At the State Championships this weekend, coincidently in Bakersfield, the 132 lb weight class is shaping up to have a showdown of epic proportions.  Gilroy’s own Nikko Villereal, 3^rd in the State as a freshman, has gone down a weight class and is looking to prevent history. Cisneros and Villereal have met twice already this year, with Cisneros winning both times (4-3 in double overtime @ Clovis and 1-0 at the Mid Cal finals). However, it is not certain that the two will face off.  Both wrestlers have a tough bracket and will only meet if they each reach the finals.  Whether you call him Nikko or Loudin Swain, I know I’ll have Red Riders Lunatic Fringe playing in my head if I get to watch him throw down with Shute and leave his mark on the 2012 wrestling season.

“It aint the six minutes….It’s what happens in that six minutes that defines us!”

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Yours in Wrestling!

Matt Corona

Stays together 3rd Place 02/12/2012 SCWAY Warzone

“The CHAMP is here!”—Muhammad Ali

February 7, 2012

                        Hello Mustang Nation!!!! Ali said the above quote when he stormed into the training facility of Joe Frasier a few days before their epic battle.  Although the dual meet between Gilroy and Hollister wasn’t quite as world changing as that fight, those words in many ways sum up the 2^nd Annual Alumni night.  In front of a crowd of + or – 300 fans Kordell Baker, the first ever state champ for GHS, was introduced and ran (jogged briskly) out onto the GHS wrestling mat.  He was greeted by 37 other Alumni that ranged from the late 1950’s to as recent as 2011.  Baker was presented some Mustang gear and smiled from ear to ear as the crowd applauded.  This year will mark the 25^th anniversary of Kordell’s State title and is also one in which the current Mustangs have a chance to bring home a couple more.  Other notable alumni on hand for the festivities included two other GHS Hall of Fame members in Coach Bert Mar and his son Sergio.  Also in attendance were other long time coaches Zeke Contreras, Charlie Morales, Chuck Ogle, Rich Masey, and Bob Campa. 

Ali’s words were fitting for another reason in that the 9 time consecutive CCS champions took on the Hollister Balers and dominated the match.  The only points scored by Hollister were by two forfeits; Gilroy won every single match of the evening with a final score of 62-12.  The Mustangs put together dominant performances and looked like a cohesive well oiled machine.  However, according to Coach Varela, the match marked the beginning of the push to the post season.  “It is important to peak at the right time.  The boys know that everything up until now has been practice.  Only three tournaments matter and define your season, your career.  You have to peak and be at your best for those three tournaments.” One of those tournaments that is of significant importance to the program is the CCS Championships.  The Mustangs are gunning for their 10^th straight title and this will be a sloberknocker of a tournament with St. Francis and Bellermine bringing out the big guns to try and prevent history from being made.  The CCS tournament will be help at Independence High School in San Jose on February 24^th and 25^th.

In other big news, on February 6^th Dr. Marco Sanchez had a formal sit down meeting to discuss plans to build a wrestling facility on campus at GHS. At the meeting it was decided to include the wrestling facility in the upcoming revised budget.  The next step is to figure out how much to spend on the project.  Currently it is projected that a new facility can be built with a price tag of almost $900 thousand dollars.  According to Principal Sanchez, a very important board meeting will be held on February 16, 2012 to discuss the matters further and TAKE ACTION.  “This is HUGE!” said Dr. Sanchez via text message in reference to the meeting that will be held at the district office at 7pm on said date. If you can find time to attend the meeting I know Coach Varela and the program will appreciate the support and from what I hear there will be “CAUSE TO CELEBRATE!!” (attendance is vital for the alumni to praise the Board for their dedication to see that GHS student/athletes have a place on campus to call home!) 

Lastly, as season winds down, preparations for fundraisers to cover next year’s expenses have begun and some exciting things are in the works.  Upcoming events include Casino Night, Adopt- A- Wrestler, and the Garlic Festival.  Information about how to volunteer, attend or contribute to one of these events will follow in future newsletters as information and details get solidified. Sign- ups for the Gilroy Hawks have begun and freestyle season is on the horizon. Send an email to Coach Varela or check out the website at http://www.gilroywrestling.com.

Yours in Wrestling,

—-Matt Corona

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