This season for BC wrestling has proven to be one of the toughest. With injuries to notable wrestlers and as of recent, according to BC coach Bill Kalivas, the wrestling program has had to discipline two wrestlers he did not name, but resolved it by the week of Nov. 29.
“Nothing’s any better. It’s just a disappointment. I can say this: I think it has to do with attitude, their ability to balance their time commitment and academics,” said Kalivas.
“We’ve had some ineligibilities where some people, some disciplinary action,” added Kalivas as he was vague and did not reveal specifics.
However, Kalivas added, “This is a thankless sport. The only fun thing about wrestling is winning. It’s unfortunate that some of these young men don’t take it seriously – don’t take their education seriously.”
Kalivas went on to add about Brad Carls inability to wrestle for the better part of the year.
“We’re hoping that we’re going to get a medical hardship because of his car accident. We like to think that he’s going to get his year back.”
Kalivas reflected on the season.
“It’s been an up and down year and it’s probably been a year of disappointment. Where as, at the beginning of the year, the possibilities were very good of us being a top four team in the state. Now, with injuries and disciplinary actions and ineligibilities, [now] the possibility we like to look at being a top ten team,” said Kalvias.
Kalivas said about the Nov. 21 Cal State Fullerton Open. “We didn’t wrestle [our top wrestlers], [but] we took our greyshirts.”
With recent injuries, Kalivas focused on the wrestlers and the upcoming Dec. 5 southern California regionals in East L.A..
“We have five wrestlers ranked: [Vince] Rivera (133), [Bryce] Horton (157), [Alvaro] Zermeno (165), A.J. Smith (174) and [Zach] Weldon (197) are [all] ranked. Our fortunes will go based on those five.”
“Depending on the other three people that were ranked, we’ll wait and see if we qualify for state and what our draw is.”
Adolofo Rojo (149), Sean Martin (141) and Sotelo (174) were the wrestlers Kalivas named. Heavyweight Evan McBride will also compete at regionals.
Rivera, ranked fifth in state in his weight class, was unbeaten in Western State Conference and was 14-2. Horton, ranked seventh in state, was also 14-2. Smith is ranked second in state with a record of at least 12 wins and two losses according to Kalivas.
Rojo and Bryce Horton will challenge for the spot of 149-weight class. Rojo, Horton and Sotelo will challenge for the spot of 157. Sotelo and Zermeno will challenge for the spot of 165. Those spots will be announced Dec. 3.
Kalivas went added about BC’s chances of qualifying at regionals for state as a team, “We have a legitimate opportunity to qualify.”
The California Community College Athletic Association wrestling state championship will be held Dec. 11-12 at Chabot College in Hayward.