LJ wrestling: City Conference

Viking 128-pounder Elliot Austin gave his opponent

in the semifinals that sinking--and pinned--

feeling in the bout. (Photos by Ed Piper, Jr.)

By Ed Piper, Jr.

La Jolla's wrestling program hosted the City Conference Championships Sat., Feb. 4, and did a fabulous job.

Midway through, juggling his coaching duties with helping manage the tournament, head coach Kellen Delaney confided, "Everything is going great. We just need our wrestlers to do better." Or words with the same meaning.

Several of the newbies to the Viking program this year were out on the mats, giving their best shot and in some cases taking some lumps. A Mission Bay coach said, "They have all those new kids this year. That sets them up for next year."

The story has been told that 30 or so new athletes came out for wrestling in November, mostly underclassmen. Coach Ryan Lindenblatt was crucial in that dynamic. He's an on-campus teacher, so he can handle certain things while his colleagues on the coaching staff work in other areas.

Meanwhile, as the seeds sit in some soil and get a little moisture, third-year wrestler Elliot Austin is just clearing the deck at his advanced level. In the championship bracket semifinals at his weight at 128 pounds, the Briton with the delightful British accent made bleary-eyed his opponent, whom he led 14-1.

"He's so quick," said new assistant coach Chuck Pieritz.

Austin's edge amounted to 14-1 before he

finally pinned his man.

In one sequence, Austin and his Hoover opponent went out of bounds. As the referee moved back to the center of the mat to resume the match, the opposing wrestler was on his feet, but slow to move off the perimeter of the mat.

The official came over to talk to him. I couldn't hear what words were exchanged, but the poor wrestler, down 13 points to the cat-quick Austin, looked like he might not continue the bout. His body language communicated he felt overwhelmed.

The referee called the young man's coach over. After some words of encouragement, the wrestler moved to the center. Later in the match, Austin was in the lower position while his foe was in the upper position in the referee's set to start the next period. On the whistle, Elliot bolted to his feet and freed himself for an escape and one point.

But he startled his opponent by, without hesitation, shooting for his opponent's legs, catching him totally unprepared. In short order the junior Viking pinned his man, and the match was over. It was lightning quick, just like Pieritz said.

Pieritz, who wrestled in high school in Illinois and in college, and who has fought in MMA, is a perfect addition to the coaching staff. He talked about the youth program that is ongoing. He enjoys helping out. "It makes for a long day," he allowed, his unpaid coaching coming after at the end of the work day.

Meanwhile, Walter Fairley, Jr. was at the City Conference event, doing his usual help coaching up the La Jolla wrestlers. Lindenblatt handled announcing and details. Delaney touched base with him frequently and was a corner man during bouts involving the Viking wrestlers, along with Pieritz. Harry Wilson, an assistant with the junior varsity, wasn't able to attend.

Also on the mat, Griffin Young, at 140 pounds, was working hard. He was elated earlier in the week, Wednesday, after finishing the Western League dual meet season as league champion at his weight, as did Elliot Austin. Austin Clerget, at 147, has been a loyal, long-time participant in the LJHS wrestling program, and he enjoyed a pin, setting him up for further action in the consolation bracket Saturday afternoon.

Showing her dedication, Maria Jasso, 184-pounder Joshua Jasso's mother, held down the hospitality room for the officials and coaches. She brought two of her other children. Jasso, who made the long trip to Holtville the preceding weekend with her husband Francisco for their son's competition in that big invitational, had a ready smile and friendly words for anyone who came in the wrestling team room for refreshment.

Fittingly, Al Green on the speaker provided a welcoming background to the event.