LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - “Got it?” calls Coach Gabe. “On three. One, two, three.” A loud boom resonates as the wrestlers show their readiness to get to work with a slap to the mat. Drilling starts, trying to get the technique and muscle memory down — they will need to go to combat in the next match. As fifty-plus wrestlers work on takedowns across the muggy wrestling room at Live Oak High School, Coach Gabe Ceja and Coach Ernie Caratachea are seen on the mat correcting wrestling partners in their techniques. Coach Mike Fredericks is checking in with one student-athlete about their grade check. On the stage, wrestlers ensure they are on weight for the weekend, as another volunteer, Coach Ahsan Khan, works on a small mat with two individuals on how to correctly run a head lever. There is hard work and focus in the wrestling room, and that has led to this season’s success for both the LOHS team and individual wrestlers.

 Aaliyah Jurado celebrates a win on the mat. She is the Northern Section Champ. Courtesy photo

“Go Low” is their motto, and they did just that — many wrestlers reached deep down to find the inner strength they needed to end with a very successful wrestling season.

 Marisela Romero is acknowledged as winner on the mat. She is the Northern Section Champ. Courtesy photo

The girls’ wrestling team had a phenomenal year. This is the second year the CIF Northern Section has had its Girl’s Masters (Section Championships) tournament — in prior years the coaches and wrestlers would compete at the Sac Joaquin Section Tournament. The LOHS girls’ team was Division 2 Champions and the team placed 5th overall at Masters. Senior Sierrah Swanson (Division Champion) and freshman Lexie Brann placed fifth at Masters in their weight classes. Ashleen Madere placed 2nd in the 122 class. Section winners Aaliyah Jurado, a sophomore, and Marisela Romero, a senior and Division Champion, placed first in their weight classes, enabling them to compete at the CIF State Championships.  

The LOHS boys’ team placed 9th at Masters with three on their team medaling. The team brought many great athletes to represent them, including Eben Jones (Division Champion) who placed fourth in the 134 weight class at Sections. Sophomore Trevor Carrier placed third. Owen Willis made the team proud by placing first in Sections, which qualified him to represent the Northern Section at the State CIF Wrestling Tournament in Bakersfield the following weekend. 

 Owen Willis goes to work on the mat. He is the Northern Section Champ. Courtesy photo

Coach Mike Fredericks also received special recognition as the first Northern Section Girls’ Wrestling Coach of the Year. This award is a wonderful way to acknowledge the dedication Fredericks has given to Live Oak’s wrestling program for over twenty years. It also testifies to his role in promoting high school girls’ wrestling for the Northern Section and the impact it has on creating strong, confident women.  

Walking into the wrestling room transports one into a world of camaraderie that one would not expect to find in a combative sport. There is an inner strength in wrestlers, to be willing to go on the mat and learn emotional control while using the skills to battle. There is a feeling of family as they cheer each other on during the long tournament days. That feeling is the reason why wrestling has become such an integral part of the Live Oak campus. It is because of the hard work and dedication of both the student-athletes and their coaches that the program is so successful.

 Owen Willis puts an opponent in a headlock. He is the Northern Section Champ. Courtesy photo

The GOLOW will be holding an annual fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday, March 23, at the Live Oak Community Building. The Tri-tip Dinner is $25 and includes Black Hole BBQ Ribs, Country Butcher Tri-tip, Stowe Rice, beans, bread, and beverage of choice — beer, wine, cocktail, or soda.