LJ wrestling: Postseason awards

By Ed Piper

A good time was had by all, I'm sure, at the end-of-the-season wrestling team dinner and awards presentation Sat., Feb. 8, at a family home in Pacific Beach.

Your friendly correspondent was not able to attend, due to Spring Training baseball in Phoenix, but head coach Kellen Delaney announced the following team awards:

--Senior Matisse Pickett and junior Noah Pace, both of whom advanced to the CIF Section Masters meet at the Ryan Center on the campus of Christian High in El Cajon, were named girls MVP and boys MVP, respectively, for the Vikings.

--Most Improved was Patrick Fitzmaurice at 150 pounds.

--Named Most Coachable was Chase Weise.

--Especially dear to Coach Emeritus Walter Fairley Jr. is the Terry McPherson Award, given in the name of an athlete who dedicated himself to the sport and drew respect and admiration for the way he carried himself. This year's recipient was Matisse Pickett, who wrestled all four years of high school, was named team captain over both the girls and boys team members, and progressed from a novice competitor as a freshman to the CIF Masters meet her final year at La Jolla High.

I would have to think that Matisse is the first female recipient of the award.