Phil Luna is fond of two things: his hair and winning.
Hence, Sobrato's wrestling coach found the perfect motivational tool for his grapplers, heading into last weekend's Blossom Valley Athletic League Finals.
"I told them if they get more than eight guys into CCS, they can either shave my head or dye it," he said.
Time to start shopping for a hat, coach.
Much to Luna's pleasant - but unfortunate - surprise, Sobrato qualified nine wrestlers for the CIF-Central Coast Section tournament, which started today at 9 a.m., and continues Saturday at Independence High School. The Bulldogs' entries included six first-time qualifiers, plus CCS veterans Joseph Redmond - a second-timer, and Michael McChesney and Victor Gillespie, who both are making their third appearances.
Sobrato took seventh place at BVALs and, despite not having any individual titles, set a program milestone for CCS qualifiers.
"It's the best we've had here," Luna said. "I was satisfied with the finish. Opportunities were there for us to make the top five. We lost a couple close matches we could have won. ... I certainly wasn't disappointed getting nine guys in. We had some guys really step up."
For Luna, the biggest highlight last weekend came with the Bulldogs' Cinderella qualifiers - Drew Johnson, Justin Harrison, Maycen Gillespie, Tim Henderson and Rafeal Anaya - who finished sixth or seventh in their respective weight classes.
"That's what it takes to have a good season," Luna said. "It takes guys stepping up and rising to their opportunities."
As a freshman, Anaya did just that. The 189-pounder took sixth place in his bracket, surprising both his coach and himself.
"I didn't have high expectations, I just wanted to do my best," Anaya said. "I'm feeling the same this week. I just want to place - beat who I have to beat and make it to state."
To do so, Anaya has to place even higher at CCS. The tournament allots only four state berths, going to the top finishers in each class.
"Only the best get to go," said Redmond, who took fourth at BVALs at 103 pounds. "No match is going to be easy."
Luna had his Bulldogs fine-tuning this week at practice, keeping their technique and health at optimum level.
"You can't change anything about them this late in the season," Luna said. "We want the guys to be physically fit and ready to go."
Last week's BVAL practice at Silver Creek High School gave the Sobrato wrestlers a preview of what's to come. For some, it was an eye-opening experience.
"It had to be one of the hardest practices of the year," said Justin Harrison (140 pounds), who finished sixth at BVALs. "I got to practice with two No. 1 seeds in CCS, so I definitely learned a thing or two."
Victor Gillespie said BVAL practice did wonders for him during his previous CCS runs.
"The best part about it was wrestle guys from other schools," he said. "Sometimes when you practice with the same people over and over again, you get in a routine and get too used to beating them and start taking it easy."
Gillespie finished second in league at 171 pounds while Maycen, his younger brother, took seventh at 145 pounds.
Victor matched McChesney for the team's best individual showing at BVALs. McChesney finished second at 119 pounds.
"I'm proud of it, but I would have liked to have taken first," McChesney said. "My expectations are just like the other guys' this week: qualify for state."
And on Sobrato's nine qualifiers:
"What can I say - we've got good coaches."
Live Oak's sibling wrestlers Steven and Moriah Fernandez joined Sobrato for practice Wednesday, preparing for upcoming tournaments.
Steven, a sophomore, became the Acorns' lone CCS qualifier with a second-place finish at BVALs.
"I was satisfied with that," he said. "I'm expecting to place at CCS."
Moriah, the reigning girls state champion at 138 pounds, is wrestling in two USGWA tournaments before nationals in mid-March.
"I have high expectations," she said. "I expect to do very well at nationals. ... I've had a great year."
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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