Eleven Poly wrestlers traveled to Santiago and wrestled at the CIF Individuals Tournament on February 21 and 22. Four of the wrestlers placed at the tournament and qualified to compete at the CIF Master’s Meet the following weekend.
Last year, Poly was only able to send two wrestlers to the Master’s Meet. This year, they were able to double last year’s output by sending four wrestlers to Master’s: junior Malik Livingston and seniors Sazar Barnes, David Martinez and Dominic Price. Livingston, Martinez and Price received third place while Barnes received fourth place. This was Price’s second time qualifying at Master’s.
“It’s a domino effect,” said coach Mike Hughes. “Especially in the play-offs, how your teammates wrestle affect how you wrestle.”
After Santiago, the four wrestlers traveled to the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA for Master’s. Unfortunately for the wrestlers, Master’s did not unfold like CIF Individuals did. Barnes, Livingston and Martinez were unable to make it to the second day of wrestling. Price was the only one to wrestle another day.
“You feel it as soon as you step off of the mat,” said Barnes. “You start thinking you could’ve wrestled harder and you start thinking about what you could’ve done differently.”
Wrestlers who place at least ninth at Master’s become qualified to wrestle at the State tournament at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Price had the opportunity to do that.
In the last match of the weekend, Price wrestled for ninth place. Unfortunately, Price was called for interlocking hands while his opponent was considered to be on his knees. This was a technical violation, which resulted in his opponent being awarded one point. By the end of the match, Price lost by that one point and was not qualified to wrestle at State.[pullquote align=”left” speaker=”Dominic Price”]I gave it my all. I’m sad it ended the way it did, but I had a great season.[/pullquote]
“I gave it my all,” said senior Dominic Price. “I’m sad it ended the way it did, but I had a great season.”
Although the wrestling season is over, there will be off-season tournaments held every Saturday after March 8 (CIF State Tournament) at different locations. The whole wrestling team is anxious to enter the off-season and polish their skills.
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