Saddleback Heavyweight Ambriz Keeps Winning to Beat the Band : Wrestling: Undefeated senior, who listens to heavy-metal music to get psyched up, is utilizing technique more with each match.

For many, music by such heavy-metal bands as Megadeath and Black Sabbath means one thing: teen-age rebellion. But for Jim Ambriz, the bands’ songs serve as lightning rods, supplying the Saddleback High wrestler with an adrenaline overload.

“Before I wrestle I pace back and forth. I’ve usually got Megadeath’s ‘Symphony of Destruction’ or Sabbath’s ‘Iron Man’ or ‘Paranoid’ playing in my head,” Ambriz said. “Then I go out there (on the mat) and beat my opponent.”

Pulverize might be a better word, considering Ambriz, who is Orange County’s top-ranked heavyweight, is 12-0, recording quick pins or forfeits every time out.

“The music gets me pumped so when I get on the mat, I try to beat them early in the match so I don’t have to go into the second period,” he said, smiling. “I hate matches to drag on.”

Although that might sound cocky, Ambriz is humble, and seems embarrassed by certain questions.

Ambriz, 17, grins when he hears he is king of the hill in his weight class among county wrestlers, with possibly only Laguna Hills’ Mark Zolikoff offering him competition.

Last year, at the Southern Section and Masters meets, Ambriz defeated Zolikoff both times they met. Ambriz, however, was disappointed at the State finals, where an injury took him out of the competition in the first round.

“I think I could have done better. . . . I know I could have,” he said. “But I got a stinger (pinched nerve) and (officials) wouldn’t let me wrestle anymore.”

Ambriz finished 36-5 last season. He was the Sea View League champion, took third at the section Division III finals and was seventh at the Masters.

This season, Ambriz, who is one of the Roadrunners’ team captains, probably will meet Zolikoff again at the Laguna Hills tournament Jan. 28. Ambriz is looking forward to the rematch.

“When we wrestled last year, it was a good match,” Ambriz said. “The matches were close and went the distance. Zolikoff is always tough.”

Though Ambriz is soft-spoken off the mat, opposing wrestlers know differently. Especially when he’s wearing his prescription eye glasses.

“Yeah, the glasses are great to psyche out my opponents,” he said. “With the way the gym lights shine on my glasses, they make them look like dark sunglasses. I suppose I look a little intimidating.”

Ambriz, 6 feet 2 and 275 pounds, relied on brute strength in the past, but he is utilizing technique more with each match. And unlike his freshman and sophomore seasons, when picking up his opponent and throwing him to the mat was his primary objective, Ambriz is becoming a student of his sport.

“When Jimmy first started as a freshman, he would go out there and only use his muscle,” Saddleback Coach Cesar Garza said. “It wasn’t until last year that he started to use technique instead of muscle. He realizes that muscle can only take you so far in this sport.

“He wants to do well at CIF, Masters and State. I think he has the potential to go far.”

Ambriz can bench press 455 pounds, but he knows that to have a chance to reach the State finals, he’ll have to couple that strength with technique.

“I want to win State,” he said. “I know there’s going to be some tough guys out there, but I think I can win it.”

Quick and agile for his size, Ambriz said his first love is football. He was a first-team all-league selection this past season as an offensive and defensive lineman, and hopes to play in college.

He became interested in wrestling by watching his older brother, Frank, wrestle for Saddleback.

“When I was young, it seemed my brother and the neighbors were always wrestling,” Ambriz said. “I was also wrestling with them.

“I’ve always liked it. It’s just you and the other guy going head to head.”