Macrea Faces Weighty Decision

Jeff Macrea would like to concentrate on wrestling these days. But it’s not easy.

Macrea, defending City Section heavyweight champion from El Camino Real High, spends half his time weighing his options, the other half weighing himself.

About one thing Macrea is sure: How he fares on the mat over the next few weeks will tip the scales about which route his future will take.

Macrea, 26-2 entering the final dual meet of the regular season today against San Fernando, this week declined an offer to attend Cal State Northridge on a football scholarship. He also is considering junior college, looking at Valley and Moorpark.

Macrea, a Times All-Valley linebacker last fall, said he hasn’t ruled out football. It’s just that he hasn’t ruled out wrestling, either. Or track and field. He placed third in the City two years ago in the shotput.

“They wanted me to play football and [compete in] track,” Macrea said of Northridge. “But I don’t feel comfortable going there.

“The last couple of weeks have been hard--people calling me every night, asking me what I’m going to do. It’s affected my practice.”

Macrea, who placed first at the Moorpark and Harvard-Westlake tournaments, is a favorite to repeat as City champion Feb. 24 and advance to the State finals in Stockton the following week.

Macrea (6 feet 2) has hovered around 230 pounds this season but recently attempted to slim down to compete in the 215-pound division, created this season to accommodate wrestlers heavier than 189 pounds but too light to compete as heavyweights.

The lightest of 64 heavyweights at Stockton last season, Macrea was eliminated in two matches.

“I’m still thinking about cutting weight, but it’s tough,” Macrea said.

Macrea, who has 18 pins and has manhandled most opponents, likely will remain a heavyweight. He says he is much stronger than last season, and his goal is to win at least two matches at Stockton.

Should he fare even better, doors could open to a future in wrestling.

“Last year, I was a little intimidated,” Macrea said. “This year, I don’t even care because I know I’m one of the best heavyweights around.”