2016 Battle of the Belt Preview

Battle for the Belt Website – View Here

Tournament Schedule

Friday

6:30am Skin Checks
7:00am Weigh Ins
9:00am – 12:30pm Championship Round 1
12:30pm – 4:00pm Championship Round 2, Consolation Round 1
4:00pm – 6:30pm Consolation Round 2
6:30pm – 9:00pm Championship Round 3, Consolation Round 3
9:00pm – 10:15pm Consolation Round 4

Saturday

7:00am Weigh Ins
9:00am – 10:45am Championship Quarters, Consolation Round 5
10:45am – 12:00pm Consolation Round 6
12:00pm – 2:00pm Championship Semis, Consolation Round 7
2:00pm – 3:00pm Consolation Semis
3:00pm – 4:00pm Medal Matches (3rd/4th & 5th/6th & 7th/8th)
4:00pm – 5:15pm Break (gym will be cleared)
5:15pm – 7:30pm Finals & Awards

Preview by Nick Kindred

Welcome to the 2016 Battle for the Belt.  On behalf of Temecula Valley High School and tournament sponsor, Wrestling Mart, we would like to thank you for attending what should be another outstanding year of competition.  Before we delve into the breakdown of each weight class, let’s first take a look at the team participants.  Leading the way in the team race will be perennial state power and two-time defending Battle for the Belt team champions Poway.   Once again, the Titans are off to a very impressive start to their season having claimed the team title at the highly prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions in late December.  Although the depth of the Titans make them very tough to beat in a team race, there are a couple of teams in this year’s competition who may have the firepower to do just that.   Bakersfield High School could have the right combination to dethrone the Titans.  Not only do the Drillers have a slew of returning state qualifiers, but they also have a handful of returning state placers who make them a serious title contender.  Also boasting some major talent is San Marino High School.  Coming off of a fifth place finish at the prestigious Doc Buchanan Invitational, the Titans of San Marino will look to improve upon their second place finish at last year’s Battle for the Belt.  Perennial Central Coast Section power Gilroy also enters this year’s competition with an abundance of young talent.   Don’t let their youth fool you, however.  The Hawks have the potential to put several wrestlers into the finals, and they should have a presence near the top of the leader board.  Others who could make their mark in the team race include multiple-time North Coast Section champions De La Salle, defending Sac Joaquin Section champion Del Oro, former Colorado state champions Pine Creek, and newcomers to the Battle for the Belt, three-time Arizona state champions Chandler High School.

Temecula Valley Wrestling would like to thank tournament sponsor Wrestling Mart as well as Paradise Chevrolet of Temecula for their enormous support of our program and this great event.  Without their help, as well as the help of the Temecula Valley wrestling parents, volunteers, and wrestling fans everywhere, this event would not be possible.

Nicolas Aguilar – Gilroy HS

106 POUNDS
The two standouts at 106 who lead the way are Nico Aguilar of Gilroy and Izzak Olejnik of Bakersfield.  Aguilar is coming off an impressive title run at last week’s Doc Buchanan Invitational, but if Olejnik is healthy, he will look to improve on last year’s second place finish at the Battle for the Belt.  Both could face stiff out-of-state competition as Chandler’s Jason Holmes and Pine Creek’s Ryan Chauvin bring national level credentials to the table.  Holmes was not only a state finalist in last year’s Arizona state meet, but he took his talents to Fargo where he was crowned the Junior Freestyle national champion.  Chauvin who was fifth in the Colorado state meet is also a two-time Fargo All-American.  In what is always a wide open weight class, others who hope to compete for a Title Belt include returning state qualifier and Battle for the Belt medalist Oscar Nellis of Rancho Buena Vista as well as Jacob Allen of Poway, Ethan Gould of Esperanza, Beau Perez of San Marino, and Antonio Lorenza of Del Oro.

113 POUNDS
It seems that the clear leader at 113 pounds is Isaiah Perez of Dinuba.  Perez, who returns as the defending Battle of the Belt champion, didn’t lose a match last year until the first weekend in March where he finished 6th at the California state championships.  Finishing 7th in the state at the same weight class was Poway’s Chase Zollman.  Should Zollman wish to take home the Title Belt, he’ll likely have to avenge a quarterfinals loss that he suffered at the hands of Perez at last year’s Battle for the Belt.  Others to watch at this weight class include returning Central Coast Section finalist Joseph Delgado of Gilroy, frosh standout Dwayne Guerrero of De La Salle, Ryley Boutain of Benecia, and Jacob Gunter of Esperanza.

120 POUNDS
Parody is the theme at 120 pounds as four returning state medalists, two Doc B placers, two Reno TOC placers, and a slew of former state qualifiers all could be in the field at this weight class.  Should he make the cut down from 126, returning California state medalist Donovin Guerrero of De La Salle would likely be the favorite.  Guerrero matched his fourth place finish at last year’s Battle for the Belt by taking fourth at the California State Championships in March.  Del Oro’s Landon McBride could represent his toughest competition for the Title Belt.  McBride, who also placed at last year’s Battle for the Belt, finished 6th at the California State Championships in March.  Looking to make his mark among this group is two-time state qualifier Kai Kramer of La Costa Canyon.  Kramer, who could not compete in last year’s competition due to injury, was fourth at the Battle for the Belt as a sophomore and he was third at the prestigious Reno TOC this last December.  Returning San Diego Section champion Jason Chua of Poway was fifth at the Reno TOC and, like Kramer, he too possesses the skills to compete with anybody in this weight class.  San Marino’s Tino Lopez and Victor Valley’s David Ortega could also vie for the Title Belt at 120 pounds.  Although neither qualified for last year’s state meet, both have made their mark on this wrestling season.  Not only was Ortega 6-0 at The Clash in Minnesota, but he was also first at the Clovis West Shootout, and sixth at the Doc B last weekend.   Lopez has some key head-to-heads this year including a consolation semi win over Ortega at the Doc B.  Lopez would ultimately finish 4th.  Throw in Colorado state placer Jordan Martinez of Pine Creek and Arizona state placer Michael Reyes of Chandler and you’ve already got one heck of a field.  But wait…there’s more.  Returning state qualifiers Elijah Diaz of Montclair and Anthony Arenas of Bakersfield as well as 2014 state qualifier Ethan Diaz of Canyon Springs and Nevada state placer Santi Bent from Bishop Gorman could make this the toughest weight class to earn a medal.

126 POUNDS
If Zander Silva is in the field at 126 pounds, he will be the favorite to take home a second consecutive Title Belt.  Silva would follow up last year’s title run with a Southern Section championship run and a fifth place finish at the California State Championships.  Two-time state qualifier Scotty Kiyono of Poway has all the skills to make a run at the finals, but there are a handful of returning state qualifiers who look like they may also be primed to make a run at the Title Belt.  They include three-time state qualifier Jared Luty of American, two-time North Coast Section finalist Bryar Edwards of Liberty, two-time Nevada state medalist Mason Campbell of Bishop Gorman, and returning state qualifier Norbeto Buenrostro of Citrus Hill.  Arizona State placer Matt Panepinto of Chandler could also make some noise at this weight class.  In addition to these competitors, there are a whole bunch of wrestlers with previous post-season experience including Ryan Gutierrez of Brea Olinda, Robert Tabarez of Calexico, Patrick Ramirez of De La Salle, Lysander Mahailum of Benecia, Adrian Salgado of ML King, and Marco Ramirez-Lazos of Rancho Buena Vista.  Also look out for freshman standout John Fox of Gilroy to vie for medal contention at this very deep weight class.

Navonte Demison – Bakersfield HS

132 POUNDS
Things could get very interesting at this weight class.  Though Bakersfield’s Navonte Demison is currently ranked #1 in the state of California at 126 pounds, it seems likely that he would enter the field at 132 pounds.  Demison, already a two-time state placer, was a finalist at this year’s Walsh Ironman in Ohio.  Given these credentials it would seem that Demison would be a clear favorite to take home the Title Belt…but not so fast.  Super sophomore Alex Felix of Gilroy was third in the state as a freshman and is coming off a finals appearance at last week’s Doc Buchanan Invitational.  Should these two square off in the finals, there should be fireworks.  Getting there could be a tall order for both them, however, as there could be another pair of returning state placers standing in their way.  Poway’s Brandon Kier was 8th at last year’s California State Championships and he was 2nd at the prestigious Reno TOC in December.  Trence Gillem of Helix was also 8th at last year’s state championships and he is also coming off an  extremely impressive showing at last week’s Doc B where he placed 3rd.  Don’t rule out two-time Hawaii state champion, Chance Ikei who is now competing for Chandler High School in Arizona.  A large contingent of returning state qualifiers rounds out this extremely competitive field.  They include Lawrence Saenz of Vacaville, Jacob Wright of Dinuba, Jose Rubio of Barstow, Steven Abbate of Central Catholic, and Alejandro Raya of Yucaipa.

Julian Flores – San Marino HS

138 POUNDS
Having placed in the last two Battle for the Belt tournaments, defending state champion Julian Flores of San Marino will look to take home his first Title Belt and he is definitely the favorite.  To do so, however, he may have to dethrone defending Battle for the Belt champion and returning state placer JJ Figueroa of Bakersfield.  Two-time state qualifier Alec Baker of La Costa Canyon is a returning Battle for the Belt finalist in his own right and he could stir things up if he’s on his game.  Keep an eye on sophomore standout and returning state qualifier Joshua Kim of Santiago who will is looking to break through with a win against an elite opponent and he certainly has the ability to do so.   Others vying for medal contention include returning state qualifiers Gavin Melendez of Gilroy, Fernando Lanza of Benicia, and Abe Cervantes of Los Osos.

Zander Wick – San Marino HS

145 POUNDS
The first of the two superstar twins from San Marino, Zander Wick is far and away the man to beat at 145 pounds.  Wick was a state finalist at last year’s California State Championships and he’s coming off an impressive championship run at the Doc B last weekend.  Wick will look to make his third consecutive Battle for the Belt finals appearance and take home his second Title Belt.  In order to so, however, he may have to knock off defending Battle for the Belt champion DJ Garcia of Poway.  Garcia built on last year’s championship run by adding a San Diego Section title and climbing on the podium at the California State Championships in March.  Others who should compete for medals are North Coast Section champion Justin Hansz of Liberty and two-time state qualifier Mason Boutain of Benicia, both of whom were a match away from placing at state last year, as well as former Nevada state finalist Andrew Quintana of Bishop Gorman.  Don’t overlook Del Oro’s Ryan Ojeda who is a returning state qualifier and has also claimed the title at this season’s Sierra Nevada Classic.  Two underclassmen who could make some noise include De La Salle’s Peyton Omania who is a Fargo national finalist and is coming off an impressive 5th place finish at the Doc B and freshman standout Joseph Barnes of Gilroy who has a handful of impressive tournament placings so far this season.

Evan Wick – San Marino HS

152 POUNDS
The potential finals matchup at this weight class is worth the price of admission as former teammates Luke Troy of ML King and Evan Wick of San Marino would likely be on a collision course to meet in the finals.  Both are returning state placers with Troy placing 3rd (at 152) and Wick placing 4th (at 138).  Both have previously claimed the Title Belt in their careers.  Wick is coming off an impressive title run at the Doc B last weekend while Troy obliterated the competition at the Riverside County Championships.  If these two are in the field, all others will be vying for spots 3-8 on the podium.  Those who could be in the mix include returning state qualifier and Doc B placer Joey Griego of Sultana, returning state qualifiers Nino Gomez of Exeter and Ricardo Gonzalez of Bakersfield, and former state qualifier and Battle for the Belt medalist Clayton Shropshire of Del Oro.  Also keep an eye on Poway’s Alex Enloe, freshman standout Nathaniel Villareal of  Gilroy, and San Clemente’s Tyler Meisinger, all of whom have some very notable victories and tournament placings this season.

160 POUNDS
Returning state placer Sam Loera of Bakersfield leads the way at 160 pounds.  Loera was 3rd at last year’s Battle for the Belt and he is coming off a 4th place finish at the Doc B last weekend.  While Loera represents the front-runner, all other places appear up for grabs and a slew of talented wrestlers could make a run at the finals.  They include returning Nevada state finalist Jonathan Ruggeroli of Cimarron Memorial along with returning California state qualifiers Aaron Padilla of San Marino, Joey Griego of Sultana, Isaac Delgado of Oak Hills, Andrew Cervantes of De La Salle, and Dawson Boland of Exeter.  Should Padilla make the finals, it could have a big impact on the team race as San Marino will have to put more than just the Wick brothers in the finals if they hope to compete with Poway’s depth.  Others to watch include Gilroy’s Juan Villareal and ML King’s Austin Wilson.

170 POUNDS
This weight class likely represents the most wide-open field in this year’s competition.  A handful of returning state qualifiers could all vie for the Title Belt at this weight class.  They include Bakersfield’s Antonio Gutierrez, Chaparral’s Garrett Strang, and Golden Valley’s Jonathan Hunter.  Don’t be surprised if San Clemente’s Kyle Marshall makes a run at the championship.  Marshall was 3rd at last year’s Battle for the Belt and he has been on an absolute tear this entire season.  Also keep an eye out for Gilroy’s Javon Aragon who was able to climb on the podium at last week’s Doc Buchanan Invitational.

182 POUNDS
Similar to the 170 pound weight class, the 182 pound field is up for grabs.  If Newbury Park’s Jake Wood is at the weight, he could be the man to beat.  Last year, Wood pulled off a couple of big upsets that propelled him into the finals.  Wood also qualified for the California State Championships at the end of the year.  Nevada state finalist Nathaniel Garcia of Cimarron Memorial could make a run for the Title Belt as could returning state qualifier Noah Rodriguez of Bakersfield.   Others who will contend for medals include Vacaville’s Cole Tigert, La Costa Canyon’s Brian Hissong, Poway’s  Nathan Tausch, Victor Valley’s Ryan Brown, Temecula Valley’s Paul Monteforte, and San Clemente’s Jimmy Klink.

195 POUNDS
Poway’s Chris Bailey leads the way at 195 pounds.  Bailey, who fell in last year’s Battle for the Belt finals, will hope to climb one step higher on the podium and claim his first Title Belt.  Bailey placed 4th at the California State Championships this past March.  Looking to challenge Bailey will be defending Central Coast Section champion Noe Garcia of Gilroy and the much improved Marshall Huberty of De La Salle who placed 6th at the Doc B last week.  Don’t rule out returning state qualifiers Austin Fifer of Victor Valley and Elias Rosales of Bakersfield.

Darryl Aiello – De La Salle HS

220 POUNDS
Two returning state medalists should meet in the finals at this weight class.  Pinning specialist Darryl Aiello from De La Salle was third at last year’s California State Championships.  In 8 matches at that tournament, Aiello was 7-1 with seven falls.  One of those seven victims was Jesse Madrigal of Oak Hills, who would fall to Aiello in the consolation semifinals at state.  Madrigal would go on to place 6th.  Aiello and Madrigal were also 2nd and 3rd at last year’s Battle for the Belt, respectively.   Hoping to disrupt this potential finals matchup will be returning state qualifier Hunter Halverson of Del Oro and Jordan Hill of Victor Valley who placed 6th at last week’s Doc B.

285 POUNDS
A handful of state qualifiers lead a wide-open field in the Heavyweight division.  Righetti’s Antonio Ramirez and Vacaville’s Mike McCauley both placed at last year’s Battle for the Belt in the same weight class.  Ramirez, who placed 4th at last week’s Doc B, could have the inside edge.  McCauley, a two-time state qualifier, is the highest returning placer from last year’s competition and he may have the experience it takes to take home the Title Belt.  He may first have to get through Citrus Hill’s Damien Bacajol who is also a returning state qualifier and the highest ranked wrestler in the field.  Don’t rule out returning state qualifier Pablo Miller of Del Oro or Golden Valley’s Ricardo Jaramillo who was 6th at the Doc B a week ago.