By Ryan Franklin
Staff Writer
The Mustang wrestling team hit the road on Feb. 5 to participate in Bay League Finals at West Torrance High School. The teams came from the Bay League High Schools Peninsula, West Torrance, Redondo, Palos Verdes, and Mira Costa. The boys finished on a positive note with a few championships.
Seniors Joey Beck and Justin Tam each took home a first place championship in their respective weight classes of 135lbs and 152lbs. The win for Beck was his first varsity level tournament win of his career. As a senior, the timing could not have been better.
“To win a league finals tournament has been a goal of mine for two years now,” Beck said. “I am very pleased to have won league and my first varsity tournament. I fought hard and the feeling is indescribable.”
Beck was unable to compete in last year’s league finals due to a hip flexor sprain, making this win all worth the while.
“It is a tremendous way to lead into CIF and the end of my senior year. My goal is to place at CIF, but I would be ecstatic to proceed past the Masters to State,” Beck said.
As a team, the Mustangs have finished their season. However, individuals can now compete in CIF play-offs.
Junior Ian Goodbody finished third in his weight class of 171lbs alongside senior Tajee Mobley who fell just short in second place at 140lbs. Senior Weston Carico finished fourth in his weight class, ending his hard fought season.
“This is by far my best season as a wrestler even though I missed making it into CIF. It’s disappointing missing out on that opportunity but I can’t overlook the success I had throughout the season,” Carico said.
Carico has been a leader for the team. In several tournaments, he proved his dominance on the mat, emerging as the top wrestler.
“I am very pleased with how my season was shaping out to be before we started league. I placed in every tournament and once league began, my competition got really difficult and things just didn’t fall my way,” Carico said.
Carico will attempt to play volleyball in college. With this focus, Bay League finals was Carico’s last wrestling match of his career.
Junior Jake Rosenfeld finished third in the weight class of 189lbs. Fellow Mustangs and freshmen Kit Murphy, 121lbs, and Jake Shapiro, 125lbs, both finished third in their weight classes.
With CIF approaching, the Mustangs will send three top seniors to compete individually. Seniors Beck, Tam, and Mobley will wrestle the best of the best to keep their seasons alive.
“All three of these guys have the capabilities to defeat any competition thrown at them,” junior Tyler Emery said. “I really believe they could very easily excel through the brackets and make their way into Mustang history.”
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