High School Player of the Week : El Camino’s John Grubbs: He Gains by Giving

When El Camino High School wrestler John Grubbs won his first state title last season at 101 pounds, he dedicated it to his father.

When his younger brother, Mike, became an outstanding wrestler at 101 pounds, John moved up to the 108-pound division.

When his father died this year and his older brother, Michio, became the head of the household, he dedicated the state tournament to him. And again he won.

You see, Grubbs is a giver.

“A second state title meant a lot to me,” said Grubbs, whose record over two seasons is 78-2. “My older brother means a lot to me so I dedicated it to him.

“My father was really proud of what I had accomplished. Last year I dedicated it to my father. This year, my older brother took over the responsibilities and held us together after my dad died. I dedicated this year’s state meet to my brother--whether I won or lost.”

Grubbs, The Times’ Player of the Week, easily won his second state title by sweeping through the 108-pound division of 13th California State wrestling championships Saturday night in Selland Arena in Fresno.

The problems that Grubbs, 17, has encountered this year have been far from the the wrestling mat, yet Michio has helped him to adjust.

“He has sat down with me and Mike a lot and just talked about life,” Grubbs said. “I don’t think I would have made it without him. He’s kept me going in the right direction, not only school-wise or in wrestling, but in life outside of school.”

Saturday, Grubbs (38-2) gave to himself by defeating El Monte Arroyo’s Marcos Carranza, 6-0, in the semifinals and Alhambra Mark Keppel’s Pramin Phatpiphong, 9-4, in the finals.

“He was one of the most dominating wrestlers in the state tournament,” El Camino Coach Dale Mazzarella said. “There was never a match where the outcome was in doubt. Everybody in the state tournament had a close match except for him.”

Just how talented is Grubbs? He has been wrestling for only four years, which puts his ability to dominate a division as he did in clearer perspective. Yet there was a time this season when he was too good for his own good.

He lost twice in the El Cajon tournament this past season, after going 40-0 as a junior. He gained more from losing than if he had won.

“Most people look at their losses as something to help them get better,” he said. “At that time I wasn’t mentally prepared. I just went out there thinking that I’d win. I was so out of focus that I couldn’t concentrate. It (the losses) got me thinking that I am beatable. I can be beat at any time. I didn’t think I could.”

Mazzarella saw the pressure that Grubbs had put on himself.

“He went through a period there where he felt he had to win every match by 100 points and beat everybody to death,” Mazzarella said. “The biggest preparation was the mental, psychological preparation just to wrestle within his own capability.”

By the state tournament, Grubbs’ had regained his capabilities. He also gained satisfaction by knowing that he helped his younger brother. Mike, a sophomore, benefited from John’s absence in the 101-pound class by placing fifth in the state.

“It made me feel good because he did well at 101 and I did well at 108,” John said. “I wanted to give him a chance.”

John Grubbs

El Camino High

Sport: Wrestling

Height, Weight, Class: 5-2, 112, Senior.

Last Week: He won his second straight state wres tling championship by domi nating the 108-pound divi sion.