MAN ON A MISSION—Pioneer senior Samuel Duchene has developed into a wrestling machine after only three years in the sport. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers Samuel Duchene and Austin Braddock scrap, fight and grapple for everything on the mat.

The senior leaders for the Simi Valley High wrestling team helped the Pioneers win their first Marmonte League team championship since 2001 after dispatching crosstown rival Royal 33-27 on the road on Wednesday.

In the process, Simi Valley also ended the Highlanders’ eight-year stranglehold atop the league standings.

“We were fighting for this all year,” head coach Guy Greene said. “These kids were fighting for a generation of Simi wrestlers.

“These kids were not just fighting for their own league championship but to make a mark. For the rest of their lives, they can look back with a sense of accomplishment at the banner in the gym.”

BAD BRAD—Simi Valley High’s Austin Braddock is a standout in the 154-pound weight class. He’s posted a 29-7 record this year. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers Duchene and Braddock traveled different paths to the Simi Valley wrestling room.

Braddock started wrestling at age 10. Duchene took up the sport as a sophomore.

The friends and teammates are mat rats to the bone.

They even plan on grappling together at Fresno City College with fellow Pioneer William Gockel-Figge.

Duchene, who is 35-5 overall this season, puts in the extra work to reach his ultimate goal: winning a state championship.

“ I have to stick with the stuff I have and perfect it,” the 147-pounder said.

“My goal, like everyone else, is to win a state title. I definitely want to place at state.”

Duchene’s father, Keith, didn’t allow the youngster to play sports as a freshman.

“I had to get better grades,” said Duchene, who was eligible for sports back then.

Now he’s earning A’s and B’s in the classroom.

He credited his uncle, Ryan Tackett, with steering him into wrestling.

“ I’m really competitive,” Duchene said, “and it’s the most competitive sport you can do.”

Few high school student-athletes are as intense as Duchene, who’s an aggressive, physical grappler.

The Pioneer expressed his gratitude for teammates and coaches who’ve helped mold him into a machine.

“ I have great partners. I couldn’t be good without Austin Braddock, Shane Murphy and Brandon Campbell,” Duchene said. “We beat each other up and keep battling back and forth.

“I have great coaches. There’s no way I’d go this far without Greene and (assistant) Craig Troxler.”

A 17-year-old with an adventurous spirit, Duchene enjoys fishing with his family in the Sea of Cortez. He also likes hiking, spear fishing and spending time with his friends.

Duchene wants to become a Navy SEAL.

“If I couldn’t make it through wrestling, there’s no way I’d make it through (the military),” he said. “This sport makes you mentally tough.”

Braddock, 17, is technician on the mat.

He uses his sinewy 6-foot-1, 154-pound frame to gain leverage and control foes.

The senior leader said he’s enjoyed the friends he’s made on this team.

“We’re all so close,” said Braddock, who is 29-7 this season. “We’re all good friends in the wrestling room and outside of school.”

Braddock’s father, Rob, wrestled for Greene at SVHS.

The Pioneer said he’s proud to continue the legacy.

“ I’m the only boy in the family, and I have the chance to finish what he started,” Austin Braddock said of his dad.

Braddock, whose mom is Julie, has two sisters: Melanie, 20, and 10-year-old Hannah.

Like many of his teammates, the Pioneer wants to reach the state tournament.

“Hopefully, it all pays off in the end,” Braddock said.

“I’ve put in all these years into it, I should shine.”

Braddock, who enjoys snowboarding, played youth football with the Simi Valley Vikings and has experience in judo.

The senior said he wants to become a nurse practitioner.

Duchene and Braddock are examples of what someone can accomplish with hard work and perseverance.

“Wrestling is a sport of fighting with rules,” said Greene, now in his 34th season as Simi Valley’s head coach.

“It’s a tough sport. It’s nice to see these guys take it upon themselves to take the challenge head-on and not shy away from hard things.”