Wrestling 49: California

With the high school wrestling season's start fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to future college and senior level stars.

The Class of 2012 returns a very accomplished group of seniors that consists of five returning state champions, one three-time state champion that is in position to possibly become the second four-time California state champion since the first state tournament in 1973, four in pursuit of a rare fourth California state medal, and five competing for a respective third. In addition, five of the Top 10 are from the talent-rich Central Valley. At the national level, this group has performed very well among the elite states at the Junior & Cadet Nationals in Fargo and NHSCA Nationals, producing a total of 35 All-American honors, four individual national champions, and seven of the Top 10 wrestlers who are ranked among InterMat's Top 100 seniors.

Leading this talented group of seniors is Alex Cisneros of Selma High School in the Central Valley. After a hard-fought state championship final against Clovis North's Vince Rodriguez (NHSCA Senior Nationals champion/three-time state medalist), Cisneros has positioned himself to go for a very rare fourth California state title. So rare, only six wrestlers have made the trip to the state finals four times, but with Cisneros being only the third of the past six to be in a position to win a possible fourth entering his senior year. Much the same as the last season, the road to a fourth title will not be an easy achievement. The talent base in the light middleweight divisions is "nails," but Cisneros has proven each year that he has what it takes to get the job done. Joining Cisneros in the pursuit of earning a rare fourth state medal is returning state champion and three-time medalist Daniel Gaytan of Clovis and teammate Zach Nevills, a finalist in 2010, and in position to earn a fourth medal. Other returning wrestlers that have great Division I potential include returning state champions Jake Elliott of Oakmont and Junior National champion (double finalist) Johnson Mai of North Torrance in SoCal. Despite not having a California state title behind their names, Natrelle Demision (Bakersfield), James Wilson (McNair-Stockton), and Victor Pereira (Newark Memorial) each are accomplished wrestlers with impressive resumes. Demison is in pursuit of a third state medal (third, fifth) and has earned three All-American honors. Earning a NHSCA National title in 2010, Wilson is a four-time All-American (Cadet/Junior/NHSCA) and has placed fourth at state twice. A state finalist in 2011, Pereira is a two-time All-American and in pursuit of a third state medal and will challenge for the state title.

In my humble opinion, the top two upper middleweights in the country this year are from the Golden State. They are returning state champions Joey Davis of Santa Fe in SoCal and Central Valley's Nikko Reyes of Clovis West. After winning a tough 171-pound weight group and second state medal, Reyes capped his junior season off by winning a second NHSCA Nationals title in Virginia. Perhaps one of the most physical and lightning quick middleweights in the country, Davis opened a lot of eyes when he dominated a strong field at the FloNationals by beating Walsh Ironman champion Ian Miller of Ohio in the championship final, thus raising his national ranking considerably. His style reminds me a great deal of World and Olympic champion Kenny Monday of Oklahoma State.

On a final note, I expect the CIF State Championships to be highly competitive again this season and am confident that our top seniors in California will do very well on the national stage, which includes high-caliber tournaments such as Walsh Ironman, Reno TOC, and the NHSCA Nationals in Virginia Beach. While compiling this list, it was once again very difficult to pick the Top 10 because many of wrestlers listed in the "honorable mention" section are just as talented and are more than capable of being in the Top 10. In short, there is a great deal of depth again this season and the road to the top podium in California will be a hard-fought battle to say the least.

Below is a look at California's Top 10 high school recruits and list of highly-talented wrestlers listed as "honorable mention" from the Class of 2012.

1. Alex Cisneros (Selma)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132
Projected College Weight Class: 133

Alex Cisneros (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)

Analysis: When Alex Cisneros won his first California state title in 2009, he became the youngest wrestler in the history of the CIF State Championships to achieve this great feat at the age of 14. Now entering his senior season, Cisneros has become the third Golden State wrestler to be in position to earn a very rare fourth state title. So rare, only one California wrestler has achieved this milestone. The first to be in position to win a fourth was Jacob Palomino of Independence, who in 2001 was defeated in the championship final by Bakersfield's Darrell Vasquez in a barnburner of a match. The following year, Vasquez dominated a strong field and became the first wrestler to earn the "Big Four," and it has taken 10 years for another California wrestler to be in position to possibly join Vasquez in achieving this prestigious honor.

The journey for Cisneros has been somewhat of a smooth ride with only a few slight bumps in the road, but from what I have observed from him these past years is his sense of focus and confidence on the mat, which will play an important factor in his pursuit of achieving the Big Four. In addition to earning three state titles, Cisneros is a three-time ASICS All-American and has a Super 32 Challenge title to his belt. Ranked No. 7 by InterMat's Top 100 Seniors, Cisneros is also a top-notch student and has verbally committed to attend Cornell University next fall and will join his fellow high school teammate Nick Pena.

Major Accomplishments:

CIF State Champion '11

CIF State Champion '10

CIF State Champion '09

Three-Time CIF Central Section Champion

Three-Time ASICS All-American

Super 32 Challenge Champion '08

2. Nikko Reyes (Clovis West)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 182
Projected College Weight Class: 174/184

Nikko Reyes (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

Analysis: I first took notice of Nikko Reyes during his sophomore year at the CIF State Championships in Bakersfield. It was his enthusiasm and confidence to compete against top-level competition that set him apart from a majority of underclassman at his weight, especially at the California State Championships where it is uncommon to have a freshman or sophomore place in the top four in the middle to heavyweight divisions, let alone even medal. Like a true competitor, Reyes set his mark on the mat when he placed third at state that year. He continued his dominance on the mat at the NHSCA Nationals, winning a title in the sophomore division. The following year, he elevated his stock even more by winning the Reno TOC and dominating a very loaded 171-pound weight group at state and earning a second national title at the NHSCA Junior Nationals in Virginia. Reyes enters his senior season rated among the top seniors in the country, and in my humble opinion, is among the top upper middleweights in the country. Ranked No. 11 by InterMat's Top 100 Seniors, Reyes has verbally committed to attend the University of Illinois next fall.

Major Accomplishments:

CIF State Champion '11

Third CIF State '10

Two-Time NHSCA National Champion

3. Joey Davis (Santa Fe)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 160/170
Projected College Weight Class: 165

Joey Davis (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)

Analysis: Joey Davis first entered my radar in December of 2009 when he rallied back from a second round loss at the Reno TOC to win eight straight matches to place a solid third place. It was his ability to overcome an early-round loss at a tough tournament and fight his way back to the medal stand that impressed me a great deal. The mental toughness required to achieve this task is not easy. From that point forward Davis had increasingly improved. Later that season he reached the CIF state finals as a sophomore, only to lose a hard fought match to David Ferry of Central Catholic. Last year, Davis set himself apart from the pack when he dominated a tough field in California to win his first state title, but that performance alone did not impress several within the national ranking groups. An early-season loss at the Reno TOC cast doubt on his ability to perform at the national level, but those demons of doubt vanished when he dominated a tough field at the FloNationals beating nationally-ranked Ian Miller from Oak Harbor, Ohio in the finals. In addition to his national title, Davis earned All-American honors at the NHSCA Nationals in 2009, placing third.

In my humble opinion, Joey Davis is among the top middleweights in the country, if not the best. The quickness on his feet and power on the mat reminds me a great deal of the legendary Olympic and World champion Kenny Monday of Oklahoma. Keep an eye on this kid; he is truly a competitor that has the talent to take it to the next several levels and compete at the Division I level and beyond. Ranked No. 13 among the top 100 seniors per InterMat, Davis has not committed to any college at the writing of this preview.

Major Accomplishments:

CIF State Champion '11

FloNationals Champion/All-American '11

Second CIF State '10

NHSCA All-American '09

4. Zach Nevills (Clovis)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 182
Projected College Weight Class: 174/184

Zach Nevills (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)
Analysis: Zach Nevills has been in the state spotlight since placing a solid fifth at state tournament his freshman year (very rare in California for a freshman to place at state in the middle to light heavyweight divisions). Since that time Nevills has earned two additional medals, placing second and third respectively. Despite not having the national credentials, as does many of the Top 10 and wrestlers listed in the honorable mention section, Nevills is truly among the top tier in the state and country. He proved his ability to compete against the nation's best by placing at several of the top tournaments in the country, such as Walsh Ironman, POWERade, and recently winning the highly-competitive Cheesehead Invitational in Wisconsin last year. Along with Cisneros and fellow teammate Daniel Gaytan, Nevills is in position to earn a rare fourth state medal and has the talent and skill level to win it all ... even challenge Nikko Reyes, if at the same weight. (Nevills beat Reyes at the Temecula "Battle for the Belt" Invitational last year.) Ranked among the Top 100 seniors per InterMat, Nevills has not committed to any college at the writing of this preview.

Major Accomplishments:

Third CIF State '11

Second CIF State '10

Fifth CIF State '09

5. Daniel Gaytan (Clovis) ]
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125

Daniel Gaytan (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)
Analysis: A strong fixture in the lightweight divisions since his freshman season, Daniel Gaytan enters the 2011-12 season ranked among the top lightweights in the country. His accomplishments tell the story ... a great deal of mat time against top-level competition followed by success. After completing a stellar season in 2011 by winning a CIF state title in a tough weight group that featured several returning state placers and five All-Americans overall, Gaytan is in position to earn a rare fourth state medal. Along with his achievements in scholastic style, Gaytan also earned All-American honors at the Cadet Nationals in Fargo. This year Clovis High School is scheduled to compete at several of the nation's top tournaments such as The Clash in Minnesota, which this year will feature many of the top ranked teams and individuals ... perhaps the toughest to date. As a result, I expect Gaytan to show his talent and skill level among these top individuals. Ranked among the Top 100 seniors per InterMat, Gaytan has not committed to any college at the writing of this preview.

Major Accomplishments:

CIF State Champion '11

Third CIF State '10

Fourth CIF State '09

Cadet All-American

6. Jake Elliott (Oakmont)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 157

Jake Elliott (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)
Analysis: Entering the 2009-10 season, Jake Elliott of Oakmont High School in the Sac-Joaquin was virtually unknown to many outside the section, myself included. In the post season of that year, he went 2-2 at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Masters meet and failed to qualify for the CIF State Championships. Fast forward to the 2011 Clovis "Doc" Buchanan Invitational and the name "Elliott" sent shockwaves across the state. Suffering an early round loss, Elliott turned it on by winning six hard-fought matches in a row to claim a well respected third place, beating returning two-time state medalist Damien Arredondo (Buchanan), two-time All-American and state placer Jesse Baldazo of Liberty, and returning state champion David Ferry of Oakdale in the consolation final. From that point forward, Elliott won a total of seven tournaments, which included a Sac-Joaquin Masters and state title. Entering the 2011-12 season, Elliott returns very well known and in position to defend his state title, and is ranked among InterMat's Top 100 seniors. Keep an eye on this kid. He is just beginning to reach his potential and has the tools to compete at the Division I level and beyond. Elliott has not committed to any college at the writing of this preview.

Major Accomplishments:

CIF State Champion '11

CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Champion '11

7. Johnson Mai (North Torrance)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 106/113
Projected College Weight Class: 125

Johnson Mai (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)
Analysis: Johnson Mai is a returning state champion and among the top lightweights in the country. Ranked in the top three for a majority of last season, Mai never looked back after his hard-fought loss to FloNationals champion Emilio Saavedra of Turlock's Pittman High School in the championship final at the "tough as nails" Clovis "Doc" Buchanan Invitational. Not only did he win a tough 103-pound weight group at state (the top four placers were good enough to win it), he had a stellar performance at the Junior Nationals in Fargo, winning a national Greco-Roman title and placing second in freestyle. In addition, Mai was chosen as an honorable mention with this year's ASICS All-American teams. With additional growth, Mai has the tools, skill and competitive edge to compete at the collegiate level and has a promising future in the international arena. Johnson Mai is a true competitor that has the competitive edge and adaptability to compete against the best of the best in any style of wrestling.

Major Accomplishments:

Junior National Champion-GR '11

Junior All-American-FS (finalist) '11

ASICS All-American (HM) '11

CIF State Champion '11

CIF Southern Section Champion '11

8. Natrelle Demison (Bakersfield)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132/138
Projected College Weight Class: 132

Natrelle Demison (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)
Analysis: Since his sophomore year, Natrelle Demison has been a fixture in the top tier of the light middleweight division. Yet to win an individual state title, Demison was on pace to achieve this feat last year when he defeated two-time state champion Nick Pena of Selma at the Clovis "Doc" Buchanan and again at the Central "Valley" Masters meet, but came up short when he had to face eventual four-time state placer Cody Tow in the second round at state. Battling back through the consolation meat grinder, Demision won six in a row to place third. A two-time state medalist (fifth 2010), Demision enters his senior year rated among the favorites to win a state title and earn a third medal overall. Rated among the Top 100 seniors per InterMat, Demison is a three-time All-American (two-time Cadet/one-time NHSCA). Demison has not committed to any college at the writing of this preview.

Major Accomplishments:

Third CIF State '11

Fifth CIF State '10

NHSCA All-American

Two-Time Cadet All-American

9. James Wilson (McNair)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 157/165

James Wilson (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)
Analysis: In many wrestling circles around the country, a wrestler would likely not receive much respect for placing fourth at the state tournament, as would a state champion. This is not the case for James Wilson or any other wrestler from the Golden State that has had to endure the month-long grind (league, sub-sections, Masters, and then a 40-man bracket at state) to stand on the medal podium in Bakersfield. Add the fact that our state is rapidly reaching close to 900 competitive wrestling schools within a one-division state tournament, and one begins to understand that placing in the top eight is an honor in California. In short, many California wrestlers have had greater success placing higher at the nationals than in California. Placing fourth at state twice, Wilson was in perhaps one of the toughest weights at state last year, which featured Bakersfield's Bryce Hammond (No. 1 in the country), Oak Ridge's Vince Waldhauser (No. 2 in the country), and Scotty Bacon (Santiago-Corona), a two-time Washington state champion/All-American that transferred to California his senior year.

This past summer, Wilson earned his fourth All-American honor when he placed at the Greco-Roman Junior Nationals in Fargo. In 2010, Wilson was an NHSCA Sophomore Nationals champion and earned All-American honors in Cadet freestyle and NHSCA Freshman Nationals in 2009.

I truly believe Wilson is a "diamond in the rough" that has great potential to compete at the division one level and beyond. Keep an eye on this wrestler. He will definitely be among the favorites to win a state title this year and make some more noise at the national level. Among the Top 10 of this preview, Wilson is perhaps the most versatile wrestler on the list, earning All-American honors in each of the wrestling styles.

Major Accomplishments:

Fourth CIF State '11

Fourth CIF State '10

Junior All-American-GR '11

NHSCA National Champion

Two-Time NHSCA All-American

Cadet All-American-FS

10. Victor Pereira (Newark Memorial)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 157

Victor Pereira (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)
Analysis: Victor Pereira is a true competitor and among the top wrestlers to come out of the CIF North Coast Section. A very accomplished wrestler while competing in the kids divisions, Pereira set his mark among the high school elite during his sophomore year when he made it to the semifinals at state, losing a hard-fought match with eventual champion Tyler Johnson of Vacaville. Finishing the season in fifth place, Pereira continued his mat time at the Cadet Nationals in Fargo, earning his second All-American honor that summer.

With the additional mat time in Fargo, plus a solid performance at the Walsh Ironman in Ohio, Pereira was able to take another step closer to his goal of winning a prestigious CIF state championship, but came up short last year when he lost a very close hard-fought state final with FloNationals champion Joey Davis of Santa Fe. Not ranked among InterMat's Top 100 Seniors, Pereira has the talent and skill level to beat many listed on this list and will definitely enter the 2011-12 season determined to win his first CIF state championship. Pereira has not committed to any college at the writing of this preview.

Major Accomplishments:

Second CIF State '11

Fifth CIF State '10

Two-Time CIF North Coast Section Champion

Two-Time Cadet All-American

Honorable Mention (Listed Alphabetically):
Alex Abono (De La Salle), 4th CIF State **
Austin Branum (Del Oro), 5th CIF State
Micah Cruz (Bakersfield), 4th CIF State
Hermillio Esquivel (Orland), 5th, 6th CIF State *
Willie Fox (Gilroy) ***
Dakota Gordon (Clovi), 7th CIF State
Adam Hendrickson (Healdsburg), 6th, 7th CIF State
Austin Lobsinger (West Valley), 2nd CIF State **
Robert Marchese (Oak Hills), 7th, 8th CIF State *
Joe Moita (De La Salle), 4th CIF State **
Silas Nacita (Bakersfield), 4th CIF State **
Adam Pain (Rodriguez), 6th CIF State
Martin Ramirez (Elk Grove), 3rd, 5th CIF State *
Maxx Ramirez (Bakersfield), 6th CIF State
Dillon Rocha (Lemoore), 5th CIF State
Josh Rodriguez (Righetti), 2nd CIF State
William Walker (De La Salle), 7th CIF State *
Paul Yoo (Cypress), 6th CIF State

* All-American honor (Cadet/Junior/NHSCA)

Team Outlook

2011 CIF State Champion: Clovis High School

Clovis High School (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)
The 2011-12 season appears to be a two-team race this year. Fixtures in the top five for several decades, the Cougars of Clovis High School and Drillers of Bakersfield, each from the Central Valley are loaded with a great deal of state level talent that no other team in the state can match at this time of the preview. This could perhaps be one of the best teams in Clovis history. Hard to believe considering the Cougars have already won a state record nine team titles and have placed in the top five 23 times since the first CIF State Championships in 1973.

Leading the Clovis contingent is returning state champion and three-time state medalist Daniel Gaytan (All-American) and Zach Nevills, also a three-time state medalist in pursuit of his first state title. Also returning is Zach's younger brother, Nick, who in 2011 became the first freshman to win a state title at heavyweight. Keep an eye on this kid. He has the potential to be the top heavyweight in the country in the next year or two. Other returning state placers include Jonas Gaytan (fifth), Adrian Salas (seventh), and Dakota Gordan (seventh). Rounding out the roster of returning state qualifiers are Matt Gay, Jason Ladd, Colby Thompson, and Ryan Davies, a second team member behind Gordan last year. Despite being a second teamer, Davies placed at several of the top tournaments in Cal last year and had more than enough talent to place at state, if not for the fact that he was behind Gordan.

Close behind is Bakersfield High School, which returns five state placers and six state qualifiers overall. Leading this talented team is senior Natrelle Demision. A two-time state placer with three All-American honors, Demision will challenge for a state title this year. Following Demision is junior standout Coleman Hammond. Despite having a disappointing state tournament last year, Hammond placed fourth as a freshman and is two-time NHSCA Nationals champion, as well as having All-American honors at the Cadet and Junior Nationals in Fargo. Rounding out the Driller squad is returning state medalist Silas Nacita (fourth in state, two-time NHSCA All-American), Micah Cruz (fourth in state), and Maxx Ramirez (sixth in state). Expected to join the Driller lineup this season are All-Americans Sean Nickell (Cadet) and Hunter Hodges (NHSCA), as well as returning state qualifier Kyle Pope.

Other teams to watch include Gilroy (CCS), Lemoore (CS), Oakdale (SJS), Vacaville (SJS), De La Salle (NCS), Clovis West (CS), Poway (SDS), and Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana (SS).

Note: Special thanks to John Sachs (Tech-Fall.com) and Tony Rotundo (WrestlersAreWarriors.com) for all the great photos.

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Wrestling 49: California

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