With discipline and determination, the first place hacienda league boys wrestlers rose to the challenge and earned their qualification for CIF. Their performance reflected countless hours of preparation and a commitment to excellence, proving that they qualify among the best. The South Hills boys wrestlers reflected on their first-place league victory and shared their thoughts and feelings as they prepared for the upcoming CIF matches.
Rex Topete (11) has been a wrestler since freshman year at South Hills. This year, Topete placed at the invitational five-counties wrestling tournament that hosts some of the most talented individual wrestlers. He explained that this prepared him for his league finals match because he realized not underestimate his opponent. Topete explained what CIF means to him personally and where his goals are set this year.
“My goals are set higher, and I want to make it to state. I hope to win CIF. I made the finals last year, and I got second, so I want to take first this year,” Topete said.
Kayden Vasquez (12) explained that winning league finals is another stepping stone in trying to make state. Although Vasquez has had great matches and success in wrestling, his Hacienda League final match was a trial for him to qualify for CIF.
“I was losing at one point and I knew I wasn’t going to walk off the mat with a loss, so I had to give it everything I had, I knew that sticking to what I know and not trying anything even while I’m down, and just doing what has been working for me all season would work and I won,” Vasquez said.
Dario Ruiz (11) explained that he is ready for CIF but wishes to aim higher for achievements like state because he personally feels CIF isn’t enough for him. Ruiz said that his coaches and teammates are a huge factor in his wrestling and help him push himself farther and past his limits. Ruiz described what he enjoyed most about winning the Hacienda League Finals and explained how he prepared for the competition.
“I was happy to get it over with and to beat the guy, I just practiced a lot, and I kept good track of my diet. I track my calories and my protein intake, I cut down, and I weighed 200 in the summer, and right now I weigh like 162,” Ruiz said.
Isaac Tessier (10) was excited to qualify in CIF because he’s put a lot of work in, especially over the summer. Tessier felt that all his hard work paid off, and he feels he isn’t done yet. He stated that he’s most excited to spend more time with his teammates and explained the key to his win.
“I stayed composed, and I wasn’t overtly offensive. I’d want to improve on chaining my moves together, but my coaches are always in my corner and always support me by having my back all the time,” Tessier said.
Benjamin De la Torre (12) felt good winning his league title and explained that it was one of his goals this year. De la Torre explained what making CIF means to him.
“It’s just one step closer to more and almost being done. Since I’m a senior, my coaches and teammates are always there cheering me on, so it’ll just be one last time,” De la Torre said.
Following the CIF round, the South Hills Wrestling team placed second as the Coastal Division Runner-up. All first-place winners of the Hacienda League match qualified for the next round of wrestling, which is Masters. Tessier placed fifth, De La Torre placed fourth, and Ruiz placed third. Vasquez also placed third, and Topete placed second. Topete and Vasquez have earned their spots at the state finals in Bakersfield on Feb. 27.
