Valley wrestling hopes to continue momentum

Sam Mangum and Sara Gonzalez are long gone from Rio Grande Valley high school wrestling.

Their impacts, however, are still being felt heading into this weekend’s regional tournament in San Antonio.

Over the past two seasons, Mangum and Gonzalez combined for three state championships. Mangum, who won two in different weight classes representing McAllen High and became the first Valley wrestler to win a state title, lost only once in his final two seasons and graduated as one of the area’s most decorated athletes in any sport. Gonzalez, meanwhile, capped her career with a state title in the 95-pound bracket, becoming the RGV’s first girls wrestler to win a title.

Besides winning three state titles, the pair also showed that Valley wrestlers can compete at a state-wide level and helped the area earn respect. The process, however, is far from complete.

“It’s all about respect for the Valley kids in the middle of the state and the rest of the state,” Weslaco High coach Miles Pederson said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

In order for the process of gaining respect to continue, the Valley has to prove its success wasn’t about just a pair of state champions. It has to continue with a strong showing this weekend, along with more success at the state tournament later this month.

Valley coaches are confident that will happen, thanks in part to the growth the sport has shown around the area the past few years.

“I think it’s a lot more even. Some of these kids, they’re starting to be into the sport for two or three years,” PSJA High coach Rolando Becerra said. “I’ve got some kids that have been in it for four years, so it’s not like they’re brand new.”

That experience should help the area continue what Mangum and Gonzalez accomplished. Their success also proved to wrestlers here that statewide success is possible.

Becerra said the equal nature of the sport and its regimented weight classes makes kids and coaches believe they can win big, a belief that might be absent in other sports.

“It urges other kids on that they can do it, too,” Becerra said. “There’s no more excuses like we can’t do this. It’s not like other sports where you see a lot of these kids break themselves like we can’t win because they’re bigger or this and that.”

Brian Sandalow covers high school wrestling for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitor.com.

Boys wrestlers to watch

Bobby Rodriguez, 119 pounds, Fr., McAllen Memorial

>> One of three District 31 wrestlers to enter regionals undefeated with 10 or more matches.

Jay Alvizio, 140 pounds, Jr., Weslaco High

>> Considered one of District 32’s overall best wrestlers.

Miguel Guerra, 152 pounds, Sr., La Joya-Palmview

>> At 21-0, combined with 160-pound brother Eli to go 39-0 so far.

Eli Urbina, 180 pounds, Jr., Weslaco East

>> One of the more experienced wrestlers on a young Weslaco East team.

Eddie Garcia, 215 pounds, Sr., McAllen Rowe

>> One of two district champions from Rowe (Michael Castro, 189 pounds).

Girls wrestlers to watch

Samantha Sepulveda, 119 pounds, Sr., Grulla

>> Undefeated at 34-0 after starting career at Rio Grande City.

Cinthya Torres, 128 pounds, Sr., Juarez-Lincoln

>> Lost only one of 25 decisions heading into regional tournament.

Adriana Pena, 165 pounds, Soph., PSJA High

>> One of the standout underclassmen in District 32.

Clarissa Pina, 165 pounds, Sr., Weslaco High

>> Qualified for the state tournament last year.

Eriel Ebarb, 215 pounds, Sr., Weslaco East

>> Looking to go back to the state tournament.