SPORTS BRIEFS: Wrestlers make Dream Team

DOWNEY – The Long Beach Press-Telegram released its annual Dream Team for Wrestling on Tuesday and several Warren, Downey, St. John Bosco and Downey Calvary Chapel wrestlers were recognized for their outstanding performances this season. Warren had five wrestlers recognized. Senior Adrian Duarte (120) was selected to the First Team Dream Team. Junior Gabriel Rodriguez (170) and senior Alex Mendez (220) were selected to the Second Team Dream Team. Senior Julian Gutierrez (160) and senior Angel Luevanos (195) were given Honorable Mention Recognition.

Downey had six wrestlers recognized. Senior Mark Lopez (113) was selected to the First Team Dream Team. Freshman Jonathan Prata (106), senior Carlos Rivas (126), sophomore Armando Padilla (132) and senior Angel Baez (285) were all selected to the Second Team Dream Team. Sophomore Nick Arellano (182) was given Honorable Mention Recognition.

Downey head coach Miguel Soto was selected as the Press-Telegram’s Coach of the Year. Soto won the Coach of the Year honor last year as well.

St. John Bosco had six wrestlers recognized. Anthony (170) and Zahid (182) Valencia were recognized as Co-Wrestlers of the Year after they each earned their third individual state championships in four attempts.

Freshman Cade Olivas (106) was also a state champion, sophomore Josh Solomon (132) and sophomore Danny Salas (195) were all selected to the First Team Dream Team. Sophomore Matt Williams (152) was selected to the Second Team Dream Team.

Bosco did not have any wrestlers receive Honorable Mention recognition.

Downey Calvary Chapel had one wrestler recognized. Senior Wyatt Gerl (126) earned First Team Dream Team recognition for his outstanding effort this year.

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The Downey High School boys’ baseball team currently has a record of 3-6 and will begin S.G.V.L. play against Lynwood at Lynwood on 3/14. Downey will host cross-town rival Warren on 4/21. Downey is currently on a three-game winning streak.

The Vikings opened their season with a doubleheader loss to Dana Hills at the Edison Tournament 4-0 and 5-0 on Saturday 2/28. Downey lost to Edison at the same tournament 4-1 on Tuesday 3/3 and lost to El Toro at the same Edison Tournament 7-2 on Wednesday 3/4.

The Vikings finished the Edison Tournament still looking for their first win.

The Vikings lost to Servite 8-2 on Friday 3/6 at the Loara Tournament and lost to Yorba Linda 6-1 on Saturday 3/7 at the same tournament. Downey picked up their first win of the season against Canyon at Canyon 5-4 in the same Loara Tournament on Tuesday 3/10. The Vikings defeated Woodbridge 3-2 in eight innings on Thursday 3/12 and then defeated Savanna 5-1 on Saturday 3/14.

The Vikings finished the Loara Tournament with a 3-2 record.

Downey played Long Beach Poly in a doubleheader on Wednesday (scores unavailable at press time). The Vikings will host Westminster next Tuesday before participating in the Anaheim Lions Tournament 3/27-4/1.

Downey will finish their preseason schedule against South Hills at South Hills on Tuesday 4/7.

Head coach Jess Gonzalez, his staff and players have been busy preparing for the start of the 2015 San Gabriel Valley League season. Cross-town rival Warren, Gahr and Paramount all present challenges for the Vikings. Downey was the 2014 S.G.V.L. champion.

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The Downey High School girls’ softball team currently has a 4-5 record and will start S.G.V.L. play on 4/14 when they travel to Lynwood to play the Lady Knights. Downey will host cross-town rival Warren on 4/16.

Downey opened up their season on Saturday 2/28 with a win against Palos Verdes 4-3 at the Cypress Tournament. Downey was defeated by Wilson High of Long Beach 3-2 later that same day in the same tournament. Downey lost a doubleheader to Lakewood 9-3 and 8-1 on Friday 3/6. The Lady Vikings were defeated by Palos Verdes Peninsula 4-1 and defeated Santa Fe 11-4 on Saturday 3/7.

The Lady Vikings defeated St. Joseph’s 11-6 on on Thursday 3/12. Downey then split a doubleheader against Santa Fe by winning the first game 2-0 and by losing the second game 14-3 last Saturday 3/14.

Downey played in the North Torrance Tournament Tuesday and Wednesday (scores unavailable at press time) of this week and will play California later today at Downey.

Coach Karzen and his players have a busy week and schedule as they prepare for the start of league play next month. Gahr and Warren will once again be the teams to beat as both schools shared the San Gabriel Valley League title last year with 9-1 records.

Both schools return key players from those teams. The Lady Vikings look to be in the mix as well.

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The fourth rotation of middle school sports started this past Monday with baseball and softball as Sussman traveled to Griffiths and Doty traveled to Stauffer.

District Superintendent Dr. John Garcia Jr. threw out the first pitch at Griffiths to officially celebrate the return of a full and extended schedule of middle school sports.

Sussman traveled to Griffiths Monday to play baseball and softball. The varsity baseball game played to a 5-5 tie. The Griffiths junior varsity team defeated Sussman 7-0 as Indian starter Edgar Delatorre pitched a perfect game with 12 strikeouts.

The Griffiths girls’ softball team defeated Sussman 10-1 and the Griffiths girls’ junior varsity team also defeated Sussman 16-4. Scores were unavailable for Wednesday’s games at Sussman.

Doty traveled to Stauffer Monday to play baseball and softball. The varsity baseball game played to a 6-6 tie as Doty rallied late to even the score.

Due to a late start and the necessity to start the second game, the game was stopped in a tie. The Stauffer junior varsity team defeated Doty 2-1 in five innings.

The Stauffer girls’ softball team defeated Doty 8-3. A late rally by Doty proved not enough as Stauffer sealed the win. Doty defeated Stauffer in the junior varsity game 15-3. The Knights raced out to a 15-0 lead thru four innings of play before Stauffer scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth. The game was stopped after four innings of play due to the 12/4 rule.

Wednesday’s results at Doty included the Doty varsity baseball team defeating Stauffer 8-0 and Stauffer’s junior varsity baseball team defeating Doty 12-0 in four innings. Stauffer’s varsity girls’ softball team defeated Doty 11-3 while the Doty girls’ junior varsity team defeated Stauffer 12-0 in four innings.

Wednesday’s games featured teams playing each other again at the opposite school site as Monday. Griffiths traveled to Sussman and Stauffer traveled to East.

Next week’s games will feature Griffiths vs. Doty and Stauffer vs. Sussman in the same home and away format.

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Published: March 19, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 49