Valhalla Wrestlers Second, Plan to Try Harder

By listening to the Valhalla wrestlers talk, one senses an eagerness and determination that wasn’t as apparent last season.

And by watching the Norsemen, you know that it’s not just talk.

Valhalla, without two of its top wrestlers, placed second (with 167 1/2 points) to Poway (with 235) at the 32-team El Cajon Valley Invitational. The Norsemen were not satisfied.

And the Norsemen plan to make this the last time they play second fiddle to Poway.

Valhalla was missing heavyweight John McKay, out of the tournament because of illness, and 189-pounder Mark Beeson, ineligible for six weeks.

But the three Valhalla put into the finals came away champions: Patrick Mack at 119, Jason Hendrick at 162 and Russ Magoffin at 172.

Valhalla was third going into the finals but Magoffin’s 47-second victory by pin over Jared Jorgensen of Skyview (Utah) pushed the Norsemen into second and dropped Skyview (with 165 points) to third.

Magoffin (13-0) sometimes goes unnoticed off the mat. During the two-day tournament, he left a strong impression on the mat by pinning four of five opponents.

“He’s so quiet and unassuming that nobody really knows who he is,” Valhalla Coach Glen Takahashi said. “But he is so physical that most people can’t stay with him.”

Said Magoffin, “I have a quiet confidence and I keep it to myself. It keeps me at ease with my mind. I don’t want to seem like I’m a cocky guy.”

Last year Magoffin wrestled at 189 pounds, although he ranged around 174 pounds, because Beeson was the better wrestler at 172 pounds. This year, with Beeson moving up a weight, Magoffin moved down.

“This year I feel a lot quicker. I’m wrestling guys more my size. Last year I was 15-20 pounds lighter than most of the guys I wrestled,” Magoffin said.

Besides Magoffin and Beeson, 7-0 before becoming ineligible, Mack is another undefeated Norsemen.

Mack (13-0) defeated Calexico’s Manuel Tabarez, 7-1. Mack previously had defeated Tabarez, 9-2, at the El Dorado Tournament this year for first place. Tabarez, the last of six wrestling brothers, is ranked second at his weight in Orange County.

Mack has made a complete turnaround from last season. He is more focused and because of that is more competitive and successful.

Last year distractions in his personal life hindered Mack, a senior, from a successful season. And when Mack didn’t place at state after finishing sixth as a sophomore, he began to reevaluate his wrestling and became more devoted.

During the summer, while his teammates were at wrestling camps, Mack secretly was running daily. He has continued this practice, running four hours daily.

“This year I have completely changed,” Mack said. “I wrestle each opponent like it’s for the state championship.

“Last year after I won a match I was cheerful and happy. Now, when I get the job done I’m more determined to win state.”

Hendrick (14-1) defeated Poway’s Issac Bomberg, 6-0, to win the championship at 162 pounds.