San Pasqual wrestling preview

November 19, 2008 - 7:34 PM

Returning 2A state placer/qualifier: Julio Saldana - state champion at 112 as sophomore; Ruben Esparanza - third at 285 as a junior; and Pedro Martinez - third at 171.

Key newcomers: Roger Valencia at 130; Jorge Salas at 125; Guillermo Gallardo - freshman at 215; Joe Delgado - sophomore 103. Ramon Hernandez - sophomore at 112 or 119.

Wrestler to watch: Saldana returns to defend state title - spent a lot of time in the weight room in the offseason and is coming in a lot stronger as a result.

San Pasqual coach Don Klostreich comments: "We are strong at 10 or 11 weights. Hard for small schools to field a fill all of the weights. We are going to do well in both (dual and tournament format) ... The kids are working hard and they are coachable ... We better be in the top 10 at state. I think we got to break our legs for that not to happen. If we stay healthy and the kids continue to work hard it's possible to get into the top five."

The lowdown: Klostreich preaches the basics and this kids listen. The Warriors are a solid team from top to bottom and should be one of the top five 1A/2A teams at the end of the season, but it will all depend on what they get from the middle and upper weights ... Delgado is the younger brother of Greg Delgado, who was state champ at 103 last season.