With Long Beach boys’ wrestling in full swing, we check in with all the local teams as they take aim at the Moore League title.
Millikan looks poised to continue their reign as Chris Anguiano and Tannor Costello hope to lead the Rams to another league title and push them into a postseason run.
Anguiano and Costello both had an impressive offseason. Anguiano was named an All-American and placed at the 2024 US Open and 2024 preseason Nationals tournaments.
The duo both placed at the California USA Wrestling State championships earning spots to represent Team California at the USA National Wrestling Championships in Fargo, North Dakota.
“We are looking forward to seeing just how much they accomplish this season,” Millikan coach Blake Lovato said.
Along with that duo, Millikan will welcome back Aiden Gomez who suffered a season-ending injury last season.
“He’s ready to finish his senior year strong,” Lovato said. “Losing him last year greatly impacted our team’s success and we are excited to have him back in the lineup.”
Long Beach Poly had five league champions at the Moore League finals and the Jackrabbits will lean on the leadership of captains Nathan Itchon and Alek Carrera.
With Itchon and Carrera, Poly is looking forward to how Albetro Olague and Augustus Brown perform after joining the team.
“We are looking forward to what this season entails,” Poly coach Ken Lee said. “After a successful season last year, we are looking to build on that success with our returners and looking to the younger wrestlers to step up to the plate.”
On 7th street, Wilson will lean on their senior leadership that includes Jacob Jenner, Eric Landeros Moreno and George Alkomous.
Jenner is a returning league champion for the Bruins and has his eyes on a repeat title and more.
Along with their returners, Wilson coach Seth Wegter expects Josh Bowers, Jimmy Kaing, Xavier Pinedo and Gannon Cooper-Erikson to make an impact with the team.
“Wilson is looking to do our very best this year,” Wegter said. “Every athlete is working hard, learning and improving. We love the sport of wrestling and are excited to compete. Our goal is to build a positive experience for a sport that we love.”
At Lakewood, the Lancers welcome the return of Tyler Muk who’s back for his senior season after suffering a season-ending injury.
He’s joined by Joseph Macias who took third in Moore League last season. The Lancers also expect Christian Allison and Camron McClure to provide a lift as newcomers on the team.
“This will be a rebuilding year,” Lakewood coach Randy Gonzales said. “We had 20 seniors graduate from last year’s team. I do believe the team will grow as we go through the season, but we are very young. Muk should be a CIF placer and could possibly make it through the Masters Tournament.”
It’s exciting times on the West Side as Cabrillo is fielding a full team after only having one wrestler on the team last season.
The Jaguars will be led by the lone returner, Jacob Castillo, who was a CIF placer last season.
With the influx of new wrestlers, coach Vince Ortiz is looking for Jeremy Arias, Angel Haro-Ortiz, Darien Martinez, Tristan Muk and Jonathan Marcos to help Cabrillo compete with the Moore League.
“My outlook is very high this season,” Ortiz said. “Even though we have a very young team from every grade level. We have standouts – even the freshmen. I expect hard work, dedication and commitment. I take no less and so far this team is showing me this, so don’t be surprised when we start turning heads.”
At Compton and Jordan, the teams will look to continue getting better as they look to send wrestlers to the Moore League individual finals.
2024 Moore League Team Champion: Millikan
2024 Moore League Individual Champions:
106: Poly’s Knox Espinoza
113: Wilson’s Jacob Jenner
120: Poly’s Eduardo Sandoval
126: Poly’s Nathan Itchon
132: Millikan’s Daniel Kroll
138: Poly’s Jayden Ekong
144: Wilson’s Anthony Vera
150: Millikan’s Chris Anguiano
157: Millikan’s Travis Costello
165: Millikan’s Trey Culwell
175: Millikan’s Ryan Kaven
190: Lakewood’s Nelson Ramirez
215: Millikan’s Tannor Costello
285: Poly’s Tyler Gaines
