After an almost 35 year hiatus, Encinal wrestling has returned to campus this winter season. With a great tone setting the season, this sport looks to stay in the future.
“Encinal and district leadership wanted to have wrestling at Encinal and I applied for the position because I wanted to make sure my son had the opportunity to compete in a sport he is passionate about,” wrestling coach Victor Doan, father of wrestler Colton Doan, said.
A total of five wrestlers qualified for the NCS Divisional tournament and two qualified for the NCS Championships. Kevin Purevdorj, a senior, won 3rd place at NCS Divisional and was a WACC League Champion.
“It’s been great,” Purevdorj said. ”You know, [it’s] a new program, and I just hope[d] that I could get far into playoffs and just do good [overall]. You know, [I tried to] just enjoy my…first and last season of wrestling.”
Island Slam saw Encinal wrestling (five meets won) duel against Alameda High (eight meets won) on Jan. 21 at Alameda high. Alameda only got their wrestling team back four years ago.
“Now, on the island,” said coach Doan, “we have two teams and both teams are working to bring wrestling back to the island.”
Jets wrestling finished with a 3-6 record in the regular season. The team has hopes of growing the program even more in years to come with Encinal head football coach and marketing teacher Derrick Lyons promising more football players next year.
Freshman wrestler Colton Doan said, “I think the program will do well, my teammates work very hard and we’ve already had a ton of success this year.”
Purevdorj received First Team All League and competed in the NCS Championships. He also placed in six tournaments. This is his first year as a wrestler, but he has a history in judo, which has helped him throughout the season.
With a successful first season back after 35 years in the books, Encinal wrestling hopes this year is just the beginning of a new era of winning in a sport that has been forgotten over time.
