Above Christian Conaway took first place in the 160 pound division. Conaway went 10-0.

Sammy Orozco wrestles his opponent during last Wednesday match.

Marco Vega gets his opponent all twisted during the match.

The Flashes Wrestling Team is off to a solid start for the 2010-2011 season. Returning as Head Coach for his 24th year is Robert Calderon. He is assisted by Coaches Manual Ponce, David Navarrette, Julian and Domique Ramirez and Froggy Estrada

Wrestling is the ultimate strength and conditioning sport for athletes. A varsity wrestling match is comprised of 3, 2 minute periods. Wrestlers seek to gain control over their opponent with the goal being a pin, which results in a 6 team points. A wrestler earns points by the following means: Takedown 2 points, Reversal 2 points, Escape 1 point, Near Fall 2 points, Near Fall 3 points and a Pin is match over. A “Tech” win is when a wrestler racks up 15 points above their opponent before the match is ended. A Tech win results in 5 team points.
Wrestlers need to have strength, stamina, speed, flexibility and technique to be successful on the mat. It’s not uncommon to see serious wrestlers lifting weights and doing cardio workouts then report to practice for 2 hours. It’s a sport for real athletes.

For their opening match the Flashes hosted Santa Ynez on 12/8/10. As a team Santa Ynez won, but several Flashes wrestlers kicked off their individual efforts with a commanding performance.

The Flashes traveled on 12/10 & 11 to the Camarillo 10 Way. The Flashes wrestled Lompoc, Harvard Westlake, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Camarillo, Rio Mesa, Pacifica, Lakewood and El Camino Real. Christian Conaway took 1st place at 160 pounds in the tournament after going 10 – 0 (6 pins, 1 tech win, 1 win by medical forfeit where the opponent couldn’t finish the match, and 2 byes). Mark Zavala took 4th place at 135 pounds after wrestling 7 – 3. The Flashes have a young team with only 4 wrestlers being Seniors (Conaway, Castaneda, Enriquez, Becerra), which means the program is in a building phase and bodes well for the 2011-12 season.

The Flashes are led by Team Captains Robert Bonilla and Christian Conaway. The Varsity team is comprised of Francisco Enriquez, Felicity Zavala, Robert Bonilla, Mark Zavala, Alex Rivera, Jeremy Martinez, Kyle Castaneda, Christian Conaway, Juan Becerra, Sammy Orozco, Marco Vega.

“I have high expectations for individuals on the Varisty Team this season. We’ve got a core group of extremely dedicated wrestlers who should place well” said Coach Calderon.