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Highland still best, but gap narrowing

By JASON GONZALEZ
Valley Press Associate Sports Editor

Heading into the 2007-2008 season the story looks to be no different with a solid mix of upperclassmen and a promising underclass to combine for a strong nucleus in the Bulldog's attack.

Although with questions still dwelling throughout the Valley without any action under anyone's belt, a new strength has begun to arise.

The Rebels of Quartz Hill, who are consistently strong in several other varsity sports, have been rumored and even categorized by GL coaches as a top contender for league champions this season.

With the sport continually growing and its popularity becoming an obvious thing within the Valley, every year the talent in the Golden League and surrounding league schools - Desert and Boron - moves up a notch.

Parity has become a trend among other AV sports and the picture is much the same in the sport of wrestling which revolves around a certain style and community, molded around strength and technique.

"There are a lot of good teams in the league…anybody can sort of win it this year," Highland head coach Mike Young said. "It is going to be an interesting year."

With each team specific to its unique regiment and focused toward one goal of solid league competition, the excitement and anticipation of hitting the mat has reached a high point.

Leading the way heading into the season is defending GL champion Highland. A strong squad that is ranked No. 5 in the Division V Southern Section rankings will jump right back in where it left off. After losing a strong group of senior league champions the Bulldogs will just reload with another strong set of seniors and juniors.

"We should be solid, we have some good kids," Young said. "We have a tradition of kids who wrestle JV step up and perform at the varsity level." Stepping up and performing will be exactly what this group will need as Young hopes to lead his group to another league title.

Holding the record for the most state dual meet wins at 627, Young looks for leadership in the performance of senior Greg Burton, who is referred to as the a king of the Valley on the mat. Burton comes off a first place finish at CIF last year in the 125-pound weight division. He looks to start his senior campaign in the 135 lb. weight class.

Supporting Burton will be fellow GL champs Jerry Galaviz and Chad Ellis, along with Greg's little brother Tyler Burton who has turned some heads at the varsity level as only a sophomore.

Not far behind the Bulldogs lurks a potent Quartz Hill group of boys who are hungry to show the Valley and GL what they are made of. After a beneficial summer of training and a strong November of preparation the Rebels are hoping to surprise some people.

Although to the rest of the league it wouldn't be a surprise based upon the fact that on paper Quartz Hill could be as good as anyone this year.

"That is nice and flattering we look great on paper…but paper doesn't wrestle," Quartz Hill head coach Trevor Leach said. "Right now I'm just excited about watching the kids get back out there and bang around a little bit."

Bang around is exactly what they will do in their first meet of the year where the Rebels will face Division I top 10 ranked teams in Hesperia and El Dorado at Montclair in a 10 team dual meet.

"To be the best you got to beat the best," Leach said. "Ultimately our goals are to get to masters and state. Our expectations are definitely high."

Leading the way for the Rebels will be senior Dan Thomas in the 215 lb. weight class, who won over 30 matches last year. Leach noted how he would expect big things out of this experienced returner to go along with solid performances from six returning letterman wrestlers.

Not far behind Quartz Hill sits a solid and aggressive Lancaster team who could very easily be right in the mix for a league championship come February. Led by head coach Pat Hayhurst the Eagles hope to live up to a season that on paper, like Quartz Hill, has potential for success.

Following close in building up a solid program is a senior laden Palmdale squad and an up and coming Littlerock program that is anchored by the 'Young' dynasty of wrestling.

Led by head coach Stewart Young - son of Highland legend Mike Young - a two-time CIF champion and collegiate wrestler, Littlerock is optimistic about their opportunities in the upcoming season.

"I think we might surprise some people," Stewart said. "I have to see us in competition really to say anything about the team." Tyler Baudette will be a key factor in Lobos success, as some league coaches tout him as one of the GL top wrestlers.

Baudette hopes to take his success from the football field in the Lobos' 2007 campaign and remain successful indoors on the mats. Another booster for the Lobos will be transfer Nauhum Cox from Burroughs High School. Stewart described his addition to the team as a great help.

The Falcons of Palmdale hope to bring a new found success to their program with the help of a strong group of upperclassmen. Thriving off the success of a solid junior class last season, this year hopefully brings success combined with experience for the Falcons.

Rounding out the Golden League is an always-tough Antelope Valley group of boys who will more than likely continue their consistent success and make some upsets along the way. Knight High School has been working hard to bring out numbers for a successful team in a still growing school and building sports program. They aren't to be over looked by any means.

Eastside will also struggle with numbers entering into their first year of a varsity wrestling program, but looks to grow in a league that produces success.

Quartz Hill's Leach said it best, "You can't overlook anybody in the league."

Wrapping up the Valley in wrestling is the High Desert League's Desert High School and the Desert Mountain League's Boron. Both programs look to continue their up and down success with the help of a regular group of solid individual performances.

Boron will look to another 'Young' success story in Brian Young as a coach - son of Mike and brother of Stewart - to help lead the Bobcats on to a goal achieving season. Desert plans for the same, as an always sound Scorpions athletic program will fight for more respect among a field of great talent in the Valley.

Action for all teams begins sporadically over the next two weeks with the earliest varsity meet taking place the weekend of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Top teams Highland and Quartz Hill will begin their varsity action on Dec. 5 at different locations against non-league schools that are amongst the top in the state.

The first league dual meet will take place on Dec. 12 at two different sites of Quartz Hill and Littlerock with four teams at each meet.

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