The562’s wrestling coverage for the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Emigh Dental Care.
With the wrestling season upon us, we went around the city to check in with Moore League teams as they prepared for the 2023-2024 season.
After a three-way tie last season, half the Moore League is excited to get another shot at the title as Wilson, Millikan and Poly are all defending champs.
At Wilson, coach Seth Wegter is looking forward to seeing what his team can do on the mat. With a good number of returners, the Bruins are looking to keep their momentum after tying for the Moore League title last season.
“We’ve got an enthusiastic group on the younger side,” Wegter said.
The Bruins expect to see Joanna Alcazar be a leader for the team after a solid season last year. Junior Hailey Fenton has also progressed well and will join Vivian Springer who will look to help the Bruins contend for a league title.
Coach Blake Lovato and Millikan will look to start a new streak when the league play begins.
The Rams will lean on seniors Hailey Fernandez and Helen Martinez.
“They’re really making an impact,” Lovato said. “Since Masters they kind of fell short during the season last year. But they’ve put in a ton of work. They’ve been to different camps and are doing different training regiments.”
On the underclassmen side, Lovato says Nohea Booth has made an impact throughout the season and competed at every offseason tournament.
At Poly, there’s no shortage of returners even after having some impact wrestlers graduate last season.
The Jackrabbits will have multiple athletes that competed at CIF including Kristine Comia who took fourth at CIF last season. Along with Comia, senior Raven Ross returns after being a state qualifier last season.
Coach Ken Lee also expects Reighlene Valdez who has impressed on the mat throughout the summer and fall.
Lakewood returns Kayla Selvidge, a two-time Moore League champion, and coach Randy Gonzalez expects her to make a good showing at CIF. Along with Selvidge, the Lancers also return sophomore Ashley Wafer who placed sixth at CIF and was a match away from placing at Masters.
At Jordan, the Panthers look to have more athletes looking to compete at the league finals. The Panthers are expecting juniors Lilliana Sarmiento and Yennisy Urtez, and sophomore Ace Acevedo to be contenders for the Northside.
