2011 Season Preview

The 2011 high school wrestling season is just around the corner and it promises to be another exciting year for California’s most successful all-time program. The Clovis Cougars enter the season ranked once again in the Top 5 in the state after finishing as such the last 4 seasons. Coming off of a 3rd place State finish, only two years removed from a State Championship, the team looks to challenge again for a California State Championship and continue their winning ways including the continuance of their back-to-back-to back championships for both the TRAC League and the Central Section. The team carries a 39-match dual win streak lasting over 4 seasons into 2011 and 8 returning state qualifiers in addition to a nucleus of young talent set to make an immediate impact at the highest level.

2011 returning state qualifiers include:
• Daniel Gaytan – Junior – 2x medalist
• Zach Nevills – Junior – 2x medalist
• Juan Salas – Senior
• Brady Bersano – Senior
• Blake Thompson – Senior
• Taylor Ferguson – Senior
• Devin Everk – Junior
• Jonas Gaytan – Sophomore

Clovis leads nearly every category on the all-time state list including:
• Most Team State Championships – 8
• Most Top 5 Team Finishes – 22
• Most Individual State Champions – 21
• Most Individual State Medalists – 104

Pre-Season State Top 10 Teams (alphabetical order):
Bakersfield
Buchanan
Calvary Chapel-Santa Ana
Clovis
Clovis West
De La Salle
Lemoore
Oakdale
Poway
Selma

**As of this writing, no weight classes are determined yet. These previews are designed to highlight the team and individual wrestlers vying for each staring spot in 2011.**

103
2010 Starter: Jonas Gaytan
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 6th Central Section
Wrestling is a family sport and ‘Gaytan’ has been a household name at 103 for Clovis the last several years. This year is no exception as freshman Julian Gaytan joins the squad from Clark Junior High and will vie for the spot to continue the family’s successes in the lower weight classes. He’ll be more than challenged by senior, Andy Ia, a 3-year member of the program who has played second fiddle to some excellent Cougar wrestlers the past 3 seasons (Madison Gambrell ’08, Daniel Gaytan ’09, Jonas Gaytan ‘10) and is hungry for a shot at the post-season. Thanks to Coach Kenny Martinez and the Clark Junior High program, additional incoming high school ready talent will be available with freshman Dominic Martinez and fellow freshman Matt Czeshinski. Add in sophomore Matt Herrera to the mix and you have a great, but typical, battle for the starting spot at Clovis High School where the term ‘varsity’ usually runs at least 3 deep.

112
2010 Starter: Daniel Gaytan
2010 Result: 3rd State
Daniel Gaytan was a staple of the program the last two years and filled this weight class nicely last season, recording a 3rd place finish at the State Championships. Sophomore, and cousin, Jonas Gaytan will be moving up to the 112lbs weight class this season and looks to improve on a very solid freshman campaign. Despite having beaten 4 of the 8 eventual state medalists from a year ago at 103lbs, he was left off the podium in March and looks to make some adjustments for a more consistent year and a strong finish. After a very successful off-season, Jonas will be a force at 112lbs for the Cougars. He’ll be pushed by sophomore Xesus Velarde who saw some 1st team action last season at 103lbs and continues to improve.

119
2010 Starter: Devin Everk
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 2nd Central Section
Look for two-time state medal winner Daniel Gaytan to make another jump in weight to occupy the 119lbs weight class. After two Top 4 state finishes but no finals appearances, Daniel had an excellent off-season and will be looking to get a shot at the raised platform in March and bring home a State Championship. Sophomore Lane McAlester has worked hard in the off-season to develop himself into a varsity-ready 119lbs wrestler for the program; this after placing at varsity tournaments a year ago. Also challenging at this weight will be junior Zach Gilman who wrestled some varsity action in his sophomore season.

125
2010 Starter: Juan Salas
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 4th Central Section
In one of the most hotly contested weight classes, at least 3 very good wrestlers will compete for the starting job in 2011. Junior Vicente Hernandez has put in an outstanding off-season and has already recorded wins over previous state qualifiers from a year ago. Sophomore Jason Ladd was equally impressive and had a very successful freshman season. Senior Gage Freeman has wrestled behind names like Gaytan and Gambrell his first three years and is ready to take the reigns as a starter this season. Freshman Marlon Watkins will look to gain valuable experience in his first high school season and provide additional support at this weight class.

130
2010 Starter: Sonny Cervantes
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 4th Central Section
The Cougars look to improve at this weight class from a year ago and senior Juan Salas should provide the necessary work ethic to get another shot at a state medal after falling only one match short a season prior. Like most Cougar weight classes, it will not come easy as he’ll be pushed by a trio of young talent. Junior Matt Gay and sophomore Connor Callaway will rejoin the squad after respective successful off-seasons. Freshman Sergio Enloe may be the wildcard after a very good junior high career, outstanding work ethic, and intense desire to get into a starting position. Regardless of the outcome, the team will be well represented at the weight for this season and years to come.

135
2010 Starter: Christian Velarde
2010 Result: Yosemite Divisional Qualifier
Senior Christian Velarde jumped into this weight class last year on very short notice and nearly recorded a Yosemite Divisional medal. This season junior Devin Everk will likely move up several weight classes from his starting spot last season to fill the void at the 135lbs. After an intense battle for the starting job, Everk got the nod and made the most of his opportunity by reaching the Central Section Championship finals and qualifying for the State Championships. This year, he’ll look to improve on that finish by making his second State Championship appearance and bringing home some hardware. Another member of the strong incoming class, freshman Alberto Jauregui, will challenge Everk for the spot and provide support at the weight class.

140
2010 Starter: Brady Bersano
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 4th Central Section
A true testament to diligence and patience, senior Brady Bersano didn’t look to have much of a shot at a starting job at this time last season, let alone a Yosemite Divisional finals appearance. But after a few unexpected events and a lot of hard work on his part, Brady earned the starting job late in the season and made his first trip to the State Championships. He’ll look to cap his senior season with a state medal and become one of the stories of largest career improvement in Clovis High School history. It won’t come easy however as he’ll be pushed by a pair of freshman in Brody Brand and Dru Everk.

145
2010 Starter: Adrian Salas
2010 Result: 7th Yosemite Division
One of only two weight classes that did not qualify for the State Championships last season for Clovis, two upperclassmen look to have the upper hand on this year’s opportunity. Junior Chase Bohny narrowly missed out on a starting spot a season ago and likely would have qualified for the State Championships had he been given the nod. Senior Christian Velarde will move up two weight classes after getting a last-second insertion last year and challenge for the spot full-time. Both will be pushed by junior Jake Cap who saw varsity action in 2010 and sophomore Mac Teare who’s improved in the off-season and is ready to fill varsity-sized shoes.

152
2010 Starter: Blake Thompson
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 4th Central Section
Another of the most wide-open weight classes, many young talents will try to secure the starting job in 2011. Junior Tyler White is the eldest of the bunch and has some varsity experience from his first two seasons. He’ll be challenged by a pair of freshman in Zach Lawson and Brandon Barnes, both future stars for the Cougars who put in great off-seasons coming into their freshman year.

160
2010 Starter: Tyler Ceremello
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 3rd Central Section
A state qualifier from a year ago, senior Blake Thompson will likely move up to fill the 160lbs spot. After gaining his first trip to the State Championships last season, he’ll be looking to finish his career with a medal in 2011. In a very competitive weight however, Thompson will be pushed by a pair of accomplished wrestlers: sophomore Adrian Salas and junior (and brother) Colby Thompson. Adrian Salas was one match from qualifying for the State Championships last season at 145lbs while Colby Thompson was a neck & neck competitor for that same starting spot. All three of these wrestlers will see lots of varsity action and may end up jostling to find their way into the lineup. Look for two sophomores to provide additional support at the weight class in Tyson Perez and Ben Prandini.

171
2010 Starter: Zach Nevills
2010 Result: 2nd State
Zach Nevills will likely be back at the weight for the third time in as many seasons where he has established himself as a name in California wrestling. After two state medals, including a runner-up finish in 2010, Nevills will set his sights squarely on nothing less than a State Championship in 2011. Though it sounds unlikely, Nevills put in a great off-season of wrestling and is a much improved wrestler in several areas, potentially spelling trouble for the competition as he was already amongst the state’s elite. He represents the lone Cougar wrestler at 171lbs.

189
2010 Starter: Tommy Burriel
2010 Result: 2nd State
The biggest loss from a season ago comes at 189lbs where 3x state medalist and scholarship athlete Tommy Burriel has taken his talents to Arizona State University. Looking to fill those enormous shoes are a pair of juniors who have already experienced a lot of high level success. Junior Ryan Davies has spent the previous two seasons behind Zach Nevills, and now looks to make his own name at 189lbs. Davies placed at several varsity tournaments, beat a few state qualifiers, and won a 75-team varsity tournament last season. Junior Dakota Gordon was at 160lbs and pulled off a lot of the same feats, placing in several varsity tournaments and besting a few eventual state qualifiers in the process. Both will be pushed by sophomore Sam Zegarelli giving the team a lot of depth at 189lbs.

215
2010 Starter: Taylor Ferguson
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 3rd Central Section
Senior Taylor Ferguson is back and ready to pick up where he left off from a season ago, narrowly missing a state medal by a single match. He’ll be a true 215lbs wrestler this season after a great off-season nutrition program from the team dietician and has his eyes set on the State Finals. Senior Orem Camarena will provide depth at the weight class and looks to earn a few varsity medals in his fourth season with the program. Freshman Matt Weiss had an outstanding junior high career and will quickly adjust to high school wrestling, likely a star of the future for the Cougars.

285
2010 Starter: Max Howard
2010 Result: State Qualifier, 7th Central Section
One of the largest improvements at a weight class this season may take an unlikely form, replacing a senior state qualifier for a freshman heavyweight. However, Nick Nevills, brother of Zach Nevills, looks to make it a reality as he gets his first opportunity at the big boys after an undefeated junior high career. Rarely, if not never, is a freshman ready to battle with juniors and seniors at heavyweight, but Nevills should be up to the challenge and more. But before that, Nevills will be pushed in the room by former Clark wrestler sophomore Ricky Temple who is back after spending a year out-of-state.

COACHES
The core of the Clovis staff is intact and ready for another great season. Steve Tirapelle will guide his 14th Clovis squad with help from invaluable assistants Ben Holscher, back for a 5th season, and son Adam Tirapelle, back for his 7th year with the program. Also returning are key staff members Eric LeGarreta, Scott Moore, Nara Sihavong, Pete Samhammer, and Sean Carlson. Leading Clark Junior High for the 2nd straight season is veteran coach Kenny Martinez who looks to continue their winning ways, along with the help of Sergio Enloe Sr., in his second season with the junior high program.

2011 CLOVIS VARSITY SCHEDULE
December 4th – The Grizz @ Central HS
December 10th & 11th – Clovis West Shootout
December 17th & 18th – Zinkin Classic @ Buchanan HS
December 30th & 31st – Cheesehead Tournament @ Kaukauna HS (Wisconsin)
January 7th & 8th – Doc Buchanan @ Clovis HS
January 12th – CLOVIS EAST
January 14th & 15th – Temecula Valley Invitational
January 19th – CENTRAL
January 26th – BUCHANAN
February 2nd – CLOVIS NORTH
February 4th & 5th – Mission San Jose Invitational
February 9th – CLOVIS WEST
February 12th – TRAC Championships @ Clovis East HS
February 18th & 19th – Valley Championships @ East Bakersfield HS
February 26th – Central Section Masters Championships @ Buchanan HS
March 4th & 5th – California State Championships @ Rabobank Arena (Bakersfield, CA)