The Warriors wrestling program is well underway. With 3 dual meets and 5 tournaments behind us we are approximately 70% through our season. We have wrestled in tournaments that have included the best wrestlers from the North Section, North Coast Section and have had success placing wrestlers in every tournament this year. At the McNair Invitational we placed 6. At the Livermore Classic we placed 5. At the Cupertino Memorial we placed 4. At the Clayton Valley we placed 4. But with all said and done, two tournaments still lie ahead of us; Foothill Invitational and Midcals. These two by far are the toughest tournaments on our schedule yet alone the schedule of any power house program from any section. They bring together the sections above plus the well renowned and powerful San Joaquin Section and Central Section. Can we continue to have any success at any of these two remaining tournaments? Can Valleys wrestling program reach a new Plateau. The answer is yes.

This Friday, the Warriors of Valley Christian traveled to our state capital Sacramento to compete in the infamous Foothill Invitational. This was a two day double elimination tournament that featured 87 high schools. It was so big it was hosted at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento. Our wrestlers and coaches knew the competition was going to be fierce. They knew that many good wrestlers are eliminated after just two matches. They knew the probability of success was low. But did that discourage our parents, no. But did that discourage our coaches, no again. And did that discourage our boys, absolutely not. After day one, 3 wrestlers succeeded in advancing towards day two’s competition; Charlie Galaviz 3 wins,1 loss, Mafoe James 3 wins 1 loss, and Ryan Gardner 3 wins no losses. This was pretty monumental. Peipe James and Chris Tozer barely lost their last matches preventing 5 wrestlers in total from advancing into day two’s competition.

However day two was blistering and it took its toll on our remaining wrestlers except for Ryan Gardner. Ryan Gardner kept winning match after match and made it to the semi finals which he won and received a 3rd place medal. This was an incredible accomplishment for Ryan. This was also an incredible accomplishment for Valley Christian High School. This achievement potentially put Ryan Gardner and Valley Christian High School on the map as an Honorable Mention at the state meet to be held in early March 2007. Hats off to AJ Crawley, CJ Van Elderon, Charlie Galaviz, Mafoe James, Peipe James, Chris Tozer and our Foothill medalist Ryan Gardner for putting on a solid performance at a very difficult wrestling event. A special thanks also goes out to our technical coaches whom day to day praise, push and teach our wrestlers the science of wrestling. Way to Go Men. Way to Go Coaches.

Individual Foothill Results:

AJ Crawley: 1-2
CJ Van Elderen: 0-2
Charlie Galaviz: 3-2 (Final Field of 24)
Mafoe James: 4-2 (Final Field of 16)
Peipe James: 1-2
Chris Tozer: 2-2
Ryan Gardner: 8-1, 3rd Place (defeated #2 ranked Vince Lopez from Clovis)