Expectations high for Hoover wrestling
There’s no denying that the 2015-16 season was a great one for Hoover High wrestling.
As the Tornadoes open the new campaign Dec. 9 at the two-day long Gabrielino Tournament, there is one lingering question: can Hoover repeat or even outdo itself in 2016-17?
“We’re not in the business of taking a step backward,” said Hoover Coach Dave Beard, whose program is beginning its sixth year. “Our goal is to finish top two in league and to continue to improve. I think it’s a very realistic goal and I’m looking forward to the year.”
The Tornadoes’ wrestling team was one of only three Hoover teams to advance to the postseason across the 2015-16 school year on the heels of an 11-5 season that included a second-place finish in the Rio Hondo League, which was the program’s best so far.
Hoover defeated league stalwart La Cañada, 42-27, finished the season ranked (No. 10) in the CIF Southern Section Western Division and advanced to the CIF Southern Section Dual Meet Championships. All of the accomplishments were program-firsts.
Individually, the Tornadoes produced one Rio Hondo League champion in 170-pounder Murad Muradyan and one CIF Southern Section Masters qualifier in 145-pounder Geraldy Martinez.
Though both have graduated, hope is still high.
“My expectations [individually] are to win league, hopefully make it to Masters and stay healthy all year,” said junior heavyweight Azad Markosian. “As for the team, we’ve got to get first this year. We have the team and we have really good wrestlers. Plus, our freshmen will step up.”
Hoover’s strength is in the upperweights with Markosian, 220-pound senior Chris White and junior 160-pounder Allen Melikyan returning.
Markosian and White finished runner-up at the league finals, while Melikyan was third.
At the Coastal Division Championships, Markosian and White finished 0-2, while Melikyan made a bit of a run.
The 160-pounder went 3-1 on the first day of action at Corona Santiago High before losing in the first consolation bracket match the second day against San Marino’s Tino Maese.
If there’s a common thread for those three wrestlers and others returning this season, it’s that last season’s shared experience has served as a motivation this time around.
“Last year, it was my first time wrestling, so it was all about just getting adjusted to wrestling,” said White, a linebacker on the football team and a thrower in track and field. “It’s a whole different experience from football or track, so it just took a while. My goal is to see if I can improve from that experience and make it to Masters.”
Beard was pleased to announce that he will be fielding a full lineup and, at least at season’s start, will not have to forfeit at any weight class. This year’s Hoover program will also consist of between 33 and 35 wrestlers.
“I think we’re going to be solid from 138 pounds and up,” Beard said. “We have a bunch of kids who can fill the lower weights, but a lot of them are young, so we’ll see how they do.”
As for league, all that’s left for Hoover is to win a championship. San Marino enters the season the winner of four straight crowns.
“I think the league is wide open and it’s definitely winnable,” Beard said. “Our goal every year is be in the top two, but I think a league championship is a definite possibility.”
