PREVIEW: The Riverside Poly wrestling team looks to improve upon last year’s successful season.
By Jack Weggeland, Staff Writer
Poly’s varsity wrestling team began its preseason ranked third in the Inland Valley League. The team looks promising for the 2014-2015 season with multiple experienced returning juniors and seniors who will help lead the boys to victory.
Poly had a successful 2013-2014 year of wrestling. The team ended the year with a 9-7 record overall and finished 4-2 in league play. John Geiger (11) led the team to placing sixth at CIF and racking up a total of 26 wins. He was Poly’s first individual wrestler to place in CIF. Dean Arevalo (11) had a great sophomore season as well, accumulating a total of 27 wins. Last year’s wrestling squad was Poly’s first to make it to CIF as a team. This year, they hope to improve upon their record, bring home a league title and take CIF by storm.
The Bears have a strong and determined team heading into the upcoming season. Geiger stated that the main difference between this year’s team and last year’s is stronger leadership roles. “The newer kids that join are also working harder and learning faster because of increased competition within our team,” Geiger explained. In preparation for its season, the team has been primarily focusing on mastering the basics of wrestling. As the season progresses, the coaches will change the focus to teaching live action and situational moves.
The Bears have ambitious individual and team goals this season. David Robinson (12), Zack Moss(12) and Geiger all hope to qualify for CIF, move onto Masters and ultimately State. As for team goals, Geiger and Moss stated, “Our goal this season would be to win a dual at Team CIF.”