HEADLOCK—Simi Valley High’s Tyler McAnany, top, grapples Shane Stoyko during practice. SVHS is a top contender in league. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers The Pioneers have finished third in the Marmonte League for the past two seasons.

They’re ready to make their move to the top.

Led by the Hasan brothers, Erik and Kyle, the Simi Valley High wrestling team hopes to wrest league supremacy from crosstown rival Royal, which has won the past six Marmonte titles.

“We work hard and we have a lot of good energy,” said senior Erik Hasan, a 171-pound grappler. “It helps that we have a good vibe in practice. If we work hard and prepare, we should be able to beat the other Marmonte teams.”

Simi Valley entered the week 2-0 in league dual meets before facing Thousand Oaks on Thursday. SVHS closes the regular season at Royal on Wed., Feb. 3.

BROTHERS IN ARMS—Simi’s Kyle Hasan, left, takes down his brother Erik. The Hasans have been star wrestlers this season. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Head coach Guy Greene is pushing his grapplers to succeed on and off the mat.

“We’ve got nice kids. I’m proud of them,” the 32nd-year coach said. “For the most they’re real good students and good citizens who take schoolwork serious. . . .

“I hope we can win a league championship. Each week is a challenge.”

Nine Pioneers have 12 or more victories.

Erik Hasan, ranked eighth in the CIF-Southern Section according to Greene, was 22-2 with 16 wins by pin entering Thursday’s meet. His brother, Kyle, was 20-3 with 11 pins.

“It’s going pretty good,” said Kyle Hasan, a 189-pounder. “Erik and I are doing well at tournaments and dual meets.”

Kyle Hasan, who thrives at top and bottom wrestling, said he’s improved his neutral attack.

He has enjoyed not having to cut weight before each competition.

“I can eat what I want,” the senior said. “Bigger guys are not as quick. They’re stronger, but I’m fine with that.”

The brothers both want to qualify for the Bakersfield state tournament in March.

Other Pioneers are enjoying standout seasons, but that’s come with hard work.

Most varsity grapplers spent their winter break practicing in the wrestling room, except for Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Shane Murphy, a 112-pound sophomore, said 10 of his first 15 wins came via pin.

Murphy, who placed second at the Marmonte championships last year, has enjoyed grappling in the room with his fellow Pioneers. He credited senior teammate Blade Dyer (12-6) for keeping his skills sharp.

“Blade’s a great workout partner,” Murphy said. “I want to keep working out with him because it’s his last year here. I want him to get the most out of this year.”

Murphy said he wants to earn a league championship, place at the section tournament and advance to Masters.

He thinks the team can enjoy a solid postseason run.

“We have the opportunity and talent, but only if we work hard,” Murphy said. “We’ve had our hardest practices this year. We still have a lot of work to do.”

Dyer said Simi Valley is on the cusp of winning the league title.

“We came close the last couple of years,” the four-year varsity grappler said. “We definitely want it this year. We definitely want to be league champs.”

Dyer has tough competition at 119 pounds from Royal senior and state-qualifier Edward Ruiz. Dyer said a key to success is maintaining his conditioning so he can challenge foes deep into the third period of matches.

Tyler McAnany, a senior heavyweight, has also enjoyed a fast start.

McAnany, a defensive tackle for Lance Martin’s football team, is 16-5 with seven victories by fall.

The senior has worked on takedowns and throws.

“A lot of kids are bigger than me, but I try to wear them down in the third period,” McAnany said. “Coach has taught us to never give up. Mental toughness is huge in this program.”

Shane Stoyko, a 215-pound senior, said the Pioneers have been wrestling well the past few weeks.

“We’re doing well,” Stoyko said. “In the next few weeks, schools will be afraid of us because we’re going to be pretty strong.”

In only his first year wrestling varsity full time, Stoyko is 15-6 with 10 pins.

Stoyko said he is improving every time he steps onto the mat, and he has gained considerable skill and strength from last year. He’s up to 205 pounds from 175 last year.

“I’m learning a lot even from losing,” he said. “I’m not the biggest guy out there, but I try to be quick and wrestle my hardest.”

Austin Braddock has moved up to 125 pounds after wrestling at 112 last season.

The sophomore is 15-9 with 10 pins.

“I’m having fun trying to achieve my goals,” said Braddock, who wants to reach the Masters tournament. “I’m trying to get better as the season goes on. “Wrestling keeps me busy and it keeps me in shape. It teaches me about responsibility.”

Alec Johnson, a 130-pound junior, is 12-8 this season.

Johnson said he has improved his all-around game and he does well with strategy. He said he constantly works on conditioning and intensity.

Johnson will likely face multiple tough grapplers in the Marmonte, just like Dyer. State qualifiers Behdod Katebian of Thousand Oaks and Moorpark’s Saul Garcia also wrestle in the 125-135 pound range.

“I’m shooting for a league title,” Johnson said. “As a team, we have a shot at first place. If not first, then second definitely.”

Max Westenskow has also had a fine year. The energetic senior has 12 wins, including 10 by fall.

Westenskow, a linebacker in football, said he is focusing more on technique.

“I’m listening to my coaches,” the Pioneer said. “I need to get my moves down and not focus on a big finish but the fundamentals.

“I gamble a lot, and I’m trying to curb that.”

Westenskow, whose younger brother Chad is a freshman in the program, has transferred lessons learned on the football gridiron to the wrestling mat.

“It’s about the little things,” he said. “A lot of little things add up to a big thing.”

The Pioneers hope all the little things—the extra practices during winter break, the sprints at the end of grueling workouts and the weekend tournaments—will add up to something big and memorable in the end: A Marmonte League championship.