Wait appears to be over

Rick Devereux

There comes a point in sports when the proverbial ‘wait until next

season’ becomes that next season and the team wins. It could take 86

years, as was the case for the Boston Red Sox, or it could take 97

years and counting, as is the case for the Chicago Cubs.

The wait has not been that long for the Newport Harbor High

wrestling program, but it the future definitely seems bright for the

Sailors.

“This is a young team,” Coach Dominic Bulone said. “We will only

lose three seniors, and the younger guys are really coming on

strong.”

Newport Harbor has had success in the past, but mostly from

individuals, such as Kid Lim, who finished second in the Sea View

League his junior and season year and fifth in the CIF Southern

Section as a senior last season.

“Since I’ve been coaching, this is probably the best duel meet

team we’ve had,” said Bulone, who is in his sixth season as the head

coach. “In the past there were a couple of superstars, but this year

we have a lot more camaraderie and excitement because of team

concept.”

Newport (4-5, 0-2 in league) is led by junior captains Craig

Nordstrom (135-pound weight class) and Michael Bates (140).

“[Nordstrom] is a good leader by example and is also a straight A

student,” Bulone said. “[Bates] comes from karate background and has

a tremendous amount of respect for authority and gets really upset

when someone on the team does not respect authority.”

Other returning varsity performers include seniors Kyle Molina

(130) and Adam Maes (171).

“[Molina] is a fourth-year wrestler and has definitely improved

every year,” Bulone said. “[Maes] is a third-year guy. His strengths

are that he sticks with it and doesn’t give up.”

Bulone said Maes is being challenged by freshman Guillermo Perez,

a physical athlete who is still learning the moves necessary to be a

successful wrestler.

Juniors Eddie Charcas (119) and Victor George (125) were on the team last year but at the 125 and 103 class, respectively.

Charcas was the Orange four-way meet as a sophomore, gaining three

wins.

George took second-place in that meet pinning two opponents.

The move in weight class should not affect either wrestler.

“Eddie is really strong,” Bulone said. “He told the coaches at the

beginning of the year not to let him slack off. He and [Nordstrom]

know the most moves on the team.”

Bulone said George is a bit inconsistent, but his effort is never

in question.

“Victor always gives 100%, that is why he sometimes runs out of

gas in the second period [of matches],” Bulone said.

Sophomore Jessee Marshall (152) also returns following a stellar

freshman campaign when he took second place in a Santa Ana

tournament.

“Jessee is a bruiser,” Bulone said. “He is aggressive, goes all

out and absolutely hates losing. He is a pinner and goes after it,

but he is not careless.”

Newcomers making an impact this year are sophomores Josh Smith

(145), Brian Macha (160) and two battling for the top 215 spot, Bruce

Hartshorn and Brian Beaudette.

Senior Jonathon Scecei has won the heavyweight spot in his first

year on the team and freshman Zane O’Bourke has been a standout at

103.