Simi grapplers working hard, getting results
Fitness has been vital to team's success
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers ESCAPE PLAN- John Moore, left, of Simi Valley High wrestles Calabasas' Garo Kharmandalian in the 147-pound weight class last week at SVHS. Despite graduating two of their best grapplers, the Pioneers remain in the thick of the Marmonte League title chase.

Simi Valley continues to be a hotbed for high school wrestling.

Although the Royal High wrestling team is getting most of the press this season, the Highlanders' nearby rival, Simi Valley High, isn't too shabby either.

With a 4-1 Marmonte League record going into Thursday's match at Moorpark High, the Pioneers are only trailing Royal and Thousand Oaks for a league championship. The success has come despite SVHS graduating two of its best grapplers from last year, Matt Bruno and Mike Murphy.

"Last year we had a couple of very talented wrestlers, but we also had a lot of slackers," senior John Hamm said. "This year everyone on the team is really trying hard and giving it all they have."

Head coach Guy Greene agreed with Hamm.

MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers CHIN MUSIC- Simi Valley's Erik Hasan, top, takes down Calabasas' Tyler Lachman in a 154-pound league match.

"Last year we had a very good, experienced team, but I thought overall we didn't reach our potential," Greene said.

"This season we've gone beyond our potential. We don't have the big guns that we had last year, but we always have different guys performing, different guys producing results. We've already won one more duel than we did all of last year."

Leading the way for the Pioneers is Hamm, who's wrestling at 189 pounds after competing at the 215-pound level last year. Hamm said one of the reasons for his weight loss has been the team's excellent conditioning program.

"This team does a good job pushing each other," Hamm said. "Each day we run about three miles, as well as 20-minute sprints when we finish practice."

Greene said the Pioneers are doing a better job practicing together this season.

"These guys, when you ask for effort, you get it," Greene said.

"Last year the wrestlers were smart, and they seemed to learn all the tricks about getting through practice without working. But you can't fake conditioning. Maybe on the football field you can blame it on being double-teamed or something, but not on the wrestling mat. It's just you out there."

Greene said the conditioning has especially helped the Pioneers in the third period, where they've won many of their matches.

"Each wrestler on the team is improving on a daily basis," Greene said. "They're all working hard, and it shows when they are able to come back in the last period and win like they've done this season."

Senior Chris Barr said not having a so-called star on this team has helped everyone work harder to accomplish their goals.

"This team needs to work harder than anyone else," said Barr, who wrestles at 130 pounds. "So far, everyone has realized they need to give 100 percent and all the dedication they have."

Other wrestlers that have contributed to the Pioneers' success include Kyle Armour and Chris Organ.

Organ "has looked real good this season," Greene said. "I expect him to go far once CIF comes along. We're trying to get him as many matches as possible before that time comes so he'll be ready to close out the season in top form."

After beating Calabasas High 54-17 last week, Simi Valley placed fifth in the San Fernando Tournament with 138 points.

Although the total was still 131 points behind Royal for first place, the Pioneers believe they can beat their nemesis.

"All we hear is 'Are you better than Royal? Did you beat Royal?'" Hamm said. "After a while it can get a little bit old because we know we're a good team, too. Now we just have to prove it."