Eagles under construction

Estancia wrestling coach Brian Burgess looks to rally inexperienced team after dismissals.Estancia High wrestling coach Brian Burgess knows this looks to be a long season. All he needs to do is look at the numbers.

In high school wrestling, there are 13 weight classes. The Eagles have enough to compete in eight of them, and returning starters in only two.

The opening of the season has been especially frustrating with the dismissal of four returners, for various disciplinary infractions. Burgess declined to identify the departed wrestlers or the offenses.

Of the Eagles’ eight starters, junior Efrain Alvarez at 189 pounds has the most experience with three years of varsity experience.

Working with a short stack, Burgess has been forced to forfeit many weight classes during dual meets, and work to develop the ones who are there.

“The guys we send out will be tough wrestlers,” Burgess said.

Estancia has been in a rebuilding mode the last three seasons.

Since taking over from Matt Atalano in 2003, Burgess has found the struggle to be constant. It has been a significant departure from the success he enjoyed as an assistant at Fountain Valley, Newport Harbor and Edison.

The team will be hard pressed to replicate last season’s 14-6 record.

“This is the first time I have part of a program in a rebuilding phase. So it’s been new to me too,” Burgess said.

Although Burgess is forced to take forfeits in weight classes, he is far from giving up on his team.

He said he hopes to keep his younger wrestlers in frosh-soph matches, instead of rushing them up to varsity.

“We’re looking at varsity as a team thing, not an individual thing,” Burgess said. “My main goal is to develop the individual talent.”

Alvarez -- the most experienced wrestler on the team -- placed sixth in the John Glenn Tournament last week.

In the meantime, Burgess has had to resort to creative ways to fill his squad.

He recruited 112-pound Rigo Bernal out of his physical education class. The freshman immediately got into the sport and loves it, according to Burgess.

Bernal has already placed in his first two varsity tournaments.

“He has really surprised me with how well he’s done,” Burgess said.

While the newcomers to the program can contribute, their inexperience is evident. During dual meets, many of the freshmen forget the procedure of removing their ankle band and shaking the opposing team’s coach after their matches.

In the end, the Eagles will have to look for the bright spots, and try not to think of what the season could have been with a full roster.

Burgess admitted the dismissals will hurt the team’s record, but said he believes it will benefit the athletes in the long run.

“It’s been a positive, now that the old negative element is out of the room,” the coach said.

CORONA DEL MAR SEA KINGS

Coach: Gary Almquist (tenth season)

2004-05 record: 5-11, 2-3 in Pacific Coast League

Returning starters: Scott Feeley (103, So.); Taylor Fanning (112, So.); Ian Hogan (160, Sr.)

Key newcomers: Nick Delano (145, Jr.); Bajan Ahmadi (152, Sr.)

Key dates: Jan. 17 vs. University; Jan. 19 at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel; Jan. 21 at San Clemente.

Outlook: Coach Almquist’s squad is stacked with sophomores and freshmen after losing CIF placers Brian Feeley and Andrew Kaligian to graduation.

Almquist said he hopes his team can overcome its inexperience with more mat time.

Last season, the Sea Kings had one of their strongest seasons in recent memory, finishing 12th at the CIF South Regional team championships, and qualifying three for the CIF individual tournament.

COSTA MESA MUSTANGS

Coach: Paul Serio (second season)

2004-05 record: 0-13, 0-6 in Golden West League

Returning starters: Will Williams (112, Jr.); Raffi Kiddikkian (130, Jr.); James Diehl (160, Sr.); Cody Delamater (189, So.)

Key newcomers: Adam Marquez (152, So.)

Key dates: Jan. 19 at Laguna Hills tournament; Feb. 9, Golden West League finals at Estancia

Outlook: The Mustangs suffered a winless season in 2004-05, largely from not being able to field wrestlers in a number of weight classes.

Sophomore Cody De La Mater, one of the returners, has made his mark this season, winning four matches in the Kennedy tournament.

Assistant coach Jessie Franco said James Diehl, the lone senior on the team, is providing guidance and motivation for the young team.

ESTANCIA EAGLES

Coach: Brian Burgess (third season)

2004-05 record: 14-6, 4-2 in Golden West League

Returning starters: Pedro Lopez, (103, So.); Efrain Alvarez (189, Jr.)

Key newcomers: Rigo Bernal (112, Fr.); Nolan Carr (119, So.); Gerrardo Ney (152, So.).

Key dates: Jan. 18 at Saddleback; Feb. 2 at Santa Ana; Feb. 9 Golden West League Finals at home

Outlook: A repeat of last season’s success is likely not in store for this year’s team. Coach Burgess must look to returners Lopez and Alvarez for leadership on the Eagles’ young squad.

Four of the wrestlers in the upper weight classes were dismissed at the beginning of the season for disciplinary reasons.

Burgess recruited Rigo Bernal -- who had no prior wrestling experience -- out of his physical education class. Bernal has three wins already and Burgess has been pleased with the freshman performance thus far.

NEWPORT HARBOR SAILORS

Coach: Dominic Bulone (seventh season)

2004-05 record: 3-6, 1-5 in Sea View League

Returning starters: Zane O’Bourke (103, So.); Victor George (119, Sr.); Eddie Charcas (130, Soph.); Michael Bates (145, Sr.); Craig Nordstrom (152, Sr.); Brian Beaudette (Hvy., Jr.)

Key newcomers: Josh George (125, So.); Jose Anaya (140, So.);

Key dates: Jan. 6-7, Estancia Tournament.

Outlook: The Sailors should have a strong season, but it may not be reflected in their record because of the strength of the Sea View League.

Senior Eddie Charcas qualified for CIF last year as a 119-pounder and has moved up to 130. The sophomore has shown little difficulty going 15-3 at this point in the season.