BOYS’ WRESTLING 1994-1995: WRESTLING PREVIEW : Greco Twins Give Laguna Hills a Winning 1-2 Punch

As Jeff Greco remembers it, he was the first to take the plunge into wrestling after listening to his father’s exploits on the mat. But it didn’t take long for Jeff’s twin brother, Mike, to join. And before long, both were learning the sport and coming to the realization that wrestling was their cup of tea.

That was in 1991, during their freshman year at Laguna Hills High. Now seniors, the Greco twins are two of the county’s best in their weight class and have their eyes set on the State championships.

Since the end of last season, when both fell short of their desired goal to place in the Masters tournament, they have been working hard on conditioning and weights and wrestling freestyle during the off-season.

“I’ve been training very hard over the summer,” Mike said, as Jeff listened quietly. “I was disappointed that I didn’t get very far in Southern Section (Division III finals) last year. I think the dual match with Calvary Chapel took it out of a lot of us.”

Jeff fared a bit better at the Division III finals, placing fifth. But nevertheless, both agree that Calvary Chapel took the wind out of their sails.

“They are the best,” Jeff said of Calvary Chapel. “And though they can get wrestlers from anywhere they want, it’s still good to have a team like that--a team that is almost untouchable.”

For the brothers, the passion for the sport still burns and their desire to do well underlies every word they speak. But unlike some twins, where sibling rivalry is the name of the game, Jeff and Mike are surprisingly genteel.

“We don’t really fight anymore. I guess we don’t want to hurt each other,” Jeff said. “I mean we are close, but not like some twins where they spend a lot of their time together. We have our friends and interest.”

Off the mat, both excel in the classroom. Jeff has a grade-point average of 3.9 and Mike’s is 3.8. When Jeff and Mike wrestle in practice, they focus on techniques of wrestling, advising each other on takedowns and escapes.

“There are some things he’s good at that I’m not that great in, and there are some things I do better than him,” Mike said. “But we talk to each other and work on it.”

Mike, a 1994 Pacific Coast League champion with a 41-8 record last season, most likely will be wrestling at 135 pounds. Jeff, also a league champion with a record of 40-10 last season, will be wrestling at 140. During the summer, both attended a two-week Iowa training camp run by wrestling great Dan Gable.

“This was actually our second time going,” Mike said. “It’s really good as far as the intensity level. It makes you mentally tough.”

When asked if they roomed together, both smiled and answered, “No!” in unison.

“I roomed with someone else,” Jeff said. “I mean, we see enough of each other at home.”

Teammate Casey Elliott, a two-time league champion, also attended the camp. Elliott, Scott Moranoue and heavyweight Mark Zolikoff are seniors who started wrestling under Coach Cliff Jarmie as freshmen.

“This is probably the most close-knit group of guys I’ve ever had,” Jarmie said. “As a coach, you go through cycles when it comes to high school athletes. There are years when grades, problems at home or getting into trouble keeps me busy with some of the wrestlers. But this group is just good kids. . . . You just appreciate when you get a group of kids like this.”

As far as predictions, Mike and Jeff think Laguna Hills will win Division III now that Calvary Chapel has moved to Division I. Of course, they would also have to get by Santa Ana, which is ranked second in the county, according to the preseason wrestling polls. Laguna Hills is ranked third.

“Santa Ana will be tough. But I still think we can beat them,” Jeff said. “We all are really up for the season. And if we don’t have any injuries, I think we have a good chance.”

For both, their desire to have a great year is amplified because both said this would probably be their last year wrestling.

“I really don’t want to continue wrestling in college,” Mike said. “I’ll be focusing on academics. Wrestling just takes too much time. Besides, I want to enjoy my college years.

“Wrestling requires a lot from a person. It requires a lot of dedication and hard work if you want to be one of the best. Wrestling taught me how to focus and remain on course. It is a great sport.”

Jeff nodded in agreement.

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Wrestling at a Glance

Other top wrestlers: Ishmail Abdullah, El Dorado, Sr., 145; Jimmie Alvarez, University, Jr., 140; Jim Ambriz, Saddleback, Sr., Hwt.; Roberto Castro, Orange, Sr., 130; Noah Culp, Esperanza, Jr., 140; Matt Flake, Esperanza, Sr., 171; Carlos Garcia, Santiago, Jr., 150; Aaron Greco, San Clemente, Sr., 152; Paul Kalani, Fountain Valley, Sr., 145; Joe Kunsch, Mission Viejo, Sr., 160; Blake Laidlaw, Capistrano Valley, Jr., 171; Gabi Martinez, Orange, Sr., 119; Lance McBride, Brea-Olinda, Sr., 125; Adam Miller, San Clemente, Jr., 140; Bryan Neal, Savanna, Sr., 150; John Peltzer, Troy, Sr., 189; Jimmy Ruualcoba, Santiago, Jr., 119; Chris Sawyer, San Clemente, Jr., 119; Eric Urela, Santiago, Sr., 135; Andy Von der Ahe , Santa Margarita, Sr., 140; Travis Wicks, Canyon, Sr., 119; Toby Williams, El Dorado, Jr., 152.

League favorites: Century: El Modena; Empire: El Dorado; Freeway: Buena Park; Garden Grove: Santiago; Golden West: Santa Ana; Olympic: Calvary Chapel; Orange: Anaheim; Pacific: Laguna Hills; Sea View: Irvine; South Coast: San Clemente; Sunset: Los Alamitos.

1992-93 final poll: 1. Calvary Chapel; 2. El Modena; 3. Laguna Hills; 4. Capistrano Valley; 5. Santa Ana; 6. Irvine; 7. San Clemente; 8. Sunny Hills; 9. El Dorado; 10. Buena Park.

1993-94 preseason poll: 1. Calvary Chapel; 2. Santa Ana; 3. Laguna Hills; 4. El Modena; 5. Irvine; 6. Anaheim; 7. San Clemente; 8. Capistrano Valley; 9. Los Alamitos; 10. Buena Park.

Key dates: Vaquero Classic at Irvine High, Dec. 10; El Toro 10-Way, Dec. 10; Orange County Holiday Classic at University High, Dec. 21; Five Counties Invitational at Fountain Valley High, Jan. 13-14; Canyon Invitational, Jan. 21; Laguna Hills Invitational, Jan. 28; Southern Section team prelims and finals, Feb. 15 and 23; section individual prelims and finals, Feb. 17-18; Masters tournament at Fountain Valley High, Feb. 25; State meet at Stockton, March 3-4.

Notes: Anaheim Coach Joe Mark complained when his team was ranked sixth in the Orange County preseason polls: “We should be second behind Calvary Chapel,” he said, noting the number of returning wrestlers. . . . Every coach and team that had to deal with Calvary Chapel in Division III is breathing a sigh of relief now that the Eagles have flown the coop and moved up to Division I. Most coaches agree Calvary Chapel will repeat as State champions as yet another top-ranked wrestler--Mark Aguirre of Victor Valley--has been added to the Eagles’ nest. . . . Brother acts continue to be a feature of the mats this season. They include Jeff and Mike Greco at Laguna Hills, Robert and Reuben Droughns at Anaheim and Cris and Tim Testerman at Irvine.