HOLTVILLE – The Holtville Invitational, long known in San Diego and Imperial counties for its rich history and even richer annual regional wrestling competition, came back into La Jolla High School’s picture on Jan. 30, after six years away.
Seven boys varsity wrestlers, four coaches, and seven family and friends made the hot, dry trek over the mountains to enjoy two days of mat time and the boys staying with Holtville host families overnight — red Vikings sleeping in the homes of green Vikings.
Junior Victor Franklin (134) pinned Luis Blue of Olympian and decisioned Jorge Be Carrillo of Calexico, 17-14, in the championship bracket, before exiting the tournament with a concussion.
Coaches said he should be fine after undergoing concussion protocol in advance of CIF at Eastlake High on Valentine’s Day.
Senior Noah Pace, at 122 pounds, is the more concerning case. He made Adrian Patino of Calipatria submit in 1:07, then aggravated a bruised left knee and took a medical forfeit. His father, Joey, said the plan is to rest and recover in time for CIF Div. IV competition Feb. 14.
Ori Mor, a 167-pound junior, held Imperial’s Anthony Woolley’s shoulders to the mat for a fall in 24 seconds. Graduating senior Liam Kressin (146), in his only opportunity to compete at Holtville, also pinned an opponent, Cristian Cabrera of Southwest (El Centro), in 1:12 in the consolation bracket.
Junior Ayden Kim (159) beat Sonny Beltran of Imperial by fall in 1:23. Senior Patrick Fitzmaurice (152) decisioned Isaac Jones of Valley Center, 11-6. Viking Dylan Haugum (217, senior) also competed at Holtville, population 5,605, near Date City, 21 miles from Brawley, which is outside El Centro, population 44,000 — you get the picture.
The Rotary Invitational, founded in 1964, is a veritable history book of La Jolla High and San Diego wrestling: Juan Sanchez (114) was named Outstanding Wrestler in 1999 and won his weight class in 1998-99. The Schon brothers, Dan and Paul, each placed twice among the top six in their classes in 2000-03 (Dan at 152 and 163, Paul at 147 and 162). Present long-time coach Ryan Lennard was a top-six finisher in 2004. Willie Jones of Lincoln (160), who Coach Emeritus Walter Fairley, Jr. coached at Lincoln High, received Outstanding Wrestler honors in 1993 and was a double winner in 1993-94.
Among other Viking repeat placers in the top six, Elliot Austin doubled at 128 pounds in 2017-18; Wade Green (277) did so in 1998-99; Matt Lagler took top six at 153 and 162 in 1997-98, Ian Reddish as well at 136.
Miki Kunitake (103 and 122) and Naiche Kennedy (275 and heavyweight), who Fairley still has contact with, starred in 1994-95.
Holtville is a unique experience: Teams from 36 schools participate, and wrestlers and support bond over the trip and an overnight stay. The tourney, drawing teams from a wide area, is tough and tests the true strength of individual competitors.
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