By Jack Schwada
The wrestling season ended after fourteen matches and four months on a disappointing note under the leadership of Head Coach Gary Bairos. Veteran coach Bairos, who has led the Wolverine squad for several years, sent three of his Wolverines to the Southern Section Central Division individual championships late in February.
These included Matt Felker â09, Ben Kogan â11 and Spencer Friedman â09. These Wolverines came in the top three of their weight classes at the CIF preliminary tournament. Friedman and Kogan took first in their weight classes and Felker took second. Felker was not able to participate in the CIF Masters Meet the next week in Temecula because of an injured shoulder.
Friedman won in the first round at the Masters Meet, but was defeated in his second round. Kogan was not able to make it to the second round with a defeat during his first round match.
But both Kogan and Friedman attempted to earn state recognition after these defeats, but the season finally ended for both Kogan and Friedman with the state qualifiers.
Both Wolverines won two matches apiece in the tournament, but unfortunately for them, they also both lost two. These losses disqualified them from entering the state rounds.
“I really think we did fine,” said Felker about the season and the performance of his teammates during the postseason.
But next year might bring even better news for wrestling.
“Iâm sure that next yearâs squad will do better,” said Felker. “Theyâre very talented and Iâm confident in their abilities.”
