This weekend Independence High School and Overfelt High School hosted the much anticipated Central Coast Section Wrestling Championships. This grueling double elimination event brought together the finest qualifying wrestlers from 76 high schools throughout the section. Although the event honors the top 6 wrestlers from each weight class, the ultimate goal for every wrestler is to medal in the top 4 spots and qualify to compete in the prestigious California State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield on Feb 29 and Mar 1, 2008. Many of the finest wrestlers from throughout the state never make it beyond their section championships. Thus the buck stops here for many. It is truly the ultimate local test where only the strongest survive both physically and mentally.  It has been said that CCS separates the good from the great. Some say it divides the part timers from the year round wrestlers. Regardless of the analogies and comparisons, wrestlers see it only one way, it is where the very best
“GO TO STATE”.

Valley Christian High School with some of the most technical and experienced coaches in the state qualified four wrestlers to compete in the CCS wrestling championships:

 Jr - Jordan Osuna, Jr - Peipe James, Jr - Chris Tozer, Sr - Charlie Galaviz.

Valley Christian wrestlers were no exception to the rule. They too had goals to medal in the top 6 spots and dreams of qualifying to compete in Bakersfield next weekend. What actually happened was a blessing in disguise. The lord blessed them all. Valley Christian wrestlers led by senior Charlie Galaviz not only achieved many of their goals, but exceeded them and positioned Valley Christian High School as a legitimate wrestling powerhouse within the Central Coast Section. This weekend, when all was said and done, Valley wrestlers achieved the following monumental tasks;

Top 10 2008 CCS Team Scores

• Medaled 3 wrestlers that placed in the top 6 spots of their weight class;  Chris Tozer, Peipe James & Charlie Galaviz
• Qualified 2 wrestlers to the state meet;  Peipe James, Charlie Galaviz

Congratulations to medalist Chris Tozer, Peipe James & Charlie Galaviz

Charlie Galaviz
Senior
171 lbs
3rd Place

Charlie Galaviz had his best tournament of the year this weekend. He came in to the tournament seeded # 5 and finished 3rd qualifying to compete in Bakersfield Feb 29/Mar 1. Charlie finished 12th amongst all CCS participating wrestlers in pin percentage vs pin time by pinning 3 of 5 opponents in 4 mins and 30 secs. His biggest accomplishments though came when he defeated the 4th seeded wrestler from Hillsdale in the quarters and later defeated Justin Orosco the #3 seed and honorable mention at state from Soledad. Some interesting nostalgia is that Charlie’s wrestling career began when he stepped on the mat at a freestyle tournament at Overfelt High School at the age of 8 in 1998. His first opponent was Justin Orosco. This weekend at Overfelt he ended his youth wrestling career at the local level with Justin Orosco. However, Charlie is not through with wrestling completely, he is heavily considering wrestling in college. God bless you son & congratulations, love your dad.

Peipe James
Junior
215 lbs
4th Place

Peipe James a CCS placer in his freshman year repeated that feat again this year. Peipe originally seeded as an alternate (7th seed) finished in 4th place. Though Peipe’s road to success this weekend did not come easy. In his second match Peipe had to beat the # 3 seed Nick Kalpin from Los Gatos. In a stunning upset, he won 7-4. Later LJ faced Hunter Baird the #5 seed from Palma whom he had already lost to twice; once at the Tim Brown Memorial Tournament and another time at Midcals. However the outcome this time was much different. In the final seconds of his match LJ pulled out the victory. It was an exciting and thrilling moment that brought the crowd to its feet. Peipe also finished the tournament with 3 pins in a total time span of 8 mins and 34 secs. Peipe is a junior and continues to show greatness year after year. LJ has a great shot at taking CCS next year. Congratulations LJ.

Chris Tozer
Junior
Heavyweight
5th Place

Chris Tozer was the #3 seeded wrestler in his weight class this weekend. He earned that honorable ranking because he placed in every tournament he participated in. He took 3rd at the McNair Inv, 1st at the Bay Area Inv, 2nd at the Cupertino Classic, 5th at the Clayton Classic, 5th at the Foothill Inv and 2nd at Midcals. He in the opinion of many within the section had the best chance of upsetting the #1 ranked wrestler Luis Barragan from Gilroy. However, due to a controversial call by the officiating group, Chris lost a critical match to Richard Segovia of Silver Creek in a 2-1 decision. Chris Tozer earlier in the season won Segovia by pin. Although Chris walked away with 5th place honors, Chris’s future is very bright. He intends on wrestling Freestyle this summer and has his eyes on winning the Junior Freestyle State Championships at the San Jose Convention Center in May 2008.
Chris will be back next year and you can bank on him avenging the misfortune he suffered this year.