All-Tribune Wrestling

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/varsityxtra/article_9bcf3c36-64c1-11e1-bf21-0019bb2963f4.html

Posted: Friday, March 2, 2012 4:45 pm | Updated: 11:16 am, Mon Mar 5, 2012.

By Jason P. Skoda, Special to Tribune |

All-Tribune First Team
Wt.      Name            Yr.        School         Comment

106   Tristan Moran     Fr.       Chandler        Openly talked about winning four state titles. One down, three to go.

113     Travis Matt      So.       Horizon         Top-seeded third-place finisher lost a tough semifinal match to end title hunt.

120     Dalton Brady   Jr.       Chandler        Returned from Olympic Training Center rusty in folkstyle but never challenged after first match.

126    Octavio Penunuri  Sr.    Mtn. View      Epitome of a Toro wrestler - keeps busting his tail until he finds the top of the podium.
132      Robbie Mathers   Sr.   Desert Vista   Went 21-1 in state tournaments, winning three titles after finishing third as as freshman.
138     Robert Sobarzo   Sr.    Desert Vista   Wrestled his best when it counted most, winning the toughest weight class in the state.
145       Seth Monty       Jr.    Mtn. View       Came up short in winning his second state title, but will be a top contender for No. 2 next year.
152     Samson Imonde   Sr.      Horizon      Showed last year’s epic fail at state was a blip as he cruised to state title after transfer from Central.
160      Dorian Coleman   Sr.       Mesa        Didn’t make lineup full-time until last season and promptly ripped off two state titles in a row.
170        Garrett Ryan     Jr.       Horizon     Smooth and dedicated, Ryan brings home title after finishing fifth last seasson.
182      Christian Allen     Sr.      Highland    Physical specimen won state title handily after being upset in last year’s quarterfinals.
195       Alex Bambic      Jr.     Desert Vista   Three-time state placer, two-time state champion can become school’s second three-timer next season.
220       Ben Andrew       Jr.         Mesa         Leap year? Yeah, no kidding. Went from state qualifier to state champ by beating four champions in one year.
HVY      Richard Castro    Sr.    Marcos de Niza   Second seed, made the finals before falling to undefeated champion Luke Braun of Shadow Mountain.
Wrestler of the Year: Ben Andrew, Mesa

Coach of the Year: Vidal Mejia, Chandler: Mejia may have taken a lesser role this year in announcing Curtis Owen as co-head coach, but his fingerprints were all over the Wolves’ first state title since 1990. The top is pretty far from the bottom where the Wolves finished at the state tournament in Mejia’s first season 10 years ago.