Wrestling: Mesa ready to contend for PCL title

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Understanding the improvement of the Costa Mesa High

wrestling program can be traced to the background of Mustangs Coach Matt

Kellogg.

A Calvary Chapel High product, Kellogg is no stranger to successful

wrestling teams. He’s not afraid to admit he’s doing things the John

Acevedo way at Mesa.

“We run our practices the same (as Calvary Chapel),” Kellogg said. “I

try to model the program after what he did. It’s what I know. It’s a

great model. He changed the face of wrestling across the state. Everyone

is wrestling John’s style.”

The Mustangs’ wrestling squad is not only improving in numbers but in

experience and talent. Without a Pacific Coast League individual champion

last year, the Mustangs have improved so much they expect to win the

league team title this season.

“When I got here the experience on the team was one person wrestled

one match,” said Kellogg, who is in his fourth year. “The kids are

sticking with it now. They see some kind of consistency. We have some

tough kids. With a little courage, we can contend for the league title.”

Mesa’s confidence comes from its seniors Benedick David (152-pound

weight class) and Myron Tracy (171), who both finished runner-up for

league titles last year. Both have bulked up after their offseason work

in the weight room. David wrestled at 140 last season, while Tracy

competed at 145.

“They both want to break through and win a league (individual) title,”

Kellogg said. “Silvio Estrada (130) and Matt Grubisich (135) are right

there too. They both work hard. They were in there working every day in

the summer.”

Junior Adam Donovan (140) is a newcomer and Kellogg says, “he’s going

to be a good one.” In addition, Marco Fuentes (145) will be another

wrestler who might break through this season.

The Mustangs opened their season with a 56-20 dual-match victory over

visiting Newport Harbor Thursday.

COSTA MESA HIGH WRESTLING

Jorge Alvarez Fr.

Carlos Ibarra Jr.

Devant Xoai Sr.

Silvio Estrada So.

Matt Grubisich, Jr.

Adam Donovan Jr.

Doug Amburgey Sr.

Benedick David Sr.

Jesse Franco Jr.

Myron Tracy Sr.

Adam Garcia Jr.

Brandon Slaney Jr.

Beverly Aina Jr.

Marco Fuentes Jr.

Coach: Matt Kellogg