Wrestling: The future is now for Thaler

Steve Virgen

STOCKTON - Estancia High’s Nathan Thaler, the CIF Division IV

215-pound champion, leaves today to compete in the State Meet at the

University of Pacific’s Spanos Center in Stockton.

Tonight, Thaler will be weighed in and first-round action begins

Friday at 8 a.m.

Thaler will wrestle Apollo Johnson, of Oakgrove High, who is the

Central Section champion. Thaler, who finished seventh in the Masters

Meet despite a second-round loss, must win at least two matches to

advance to Saturday’s action which consists of three championship rounds

and two consolation rounds. He can afford one loss.

Thaler, who has compiled a 43-6 record, will be accompanied by

Estancia Co-Coaches Steve Perez and Matt Atilano.

“His confidence is there,” Perez said of Thaler. “He feels like he has

a shot. I’m excited.”

Said Thaler, “I know I’m going to be among awesome wrestlers. But, I

know I deserve to be there. I’m one of them. And, I have a good chance of

doing well.”

Thaler is the first Newport-Mesa District wrestler to advance to the

state tournament since Newport Harbor heavyweight Jason Deere in 1996.