Downey wrestlers push top-ranked La Mirada to the limit in narrow loss
Downey’s Joseph Torres (157) wrestles La Mirada in their Gateway League match at Downey High School on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
DOWNEY – As the regular season came to an end for high school wrestling, Downey High School faced the number one team in CIF-Southern Section Division 8 on Tuesday.
The Downey wrestlers took the top ranked La Mirada Matadors to the limit, as they fell, 31-28 in the final Gateway League match of the regular season.
“Unfortunately, we came up a little bit short and it kind of stinks a little bit,” said the eight-year coach, Kyle Acevedo. “I’m just proud of my guys. They wrestled as best as possible and that’s all you can ask for.
“At the end of the day, I just tell them it’s all about competing and enjoying the moment and being grateful. Obviously, you don’t want this outcome to happen, but that’s the name of the game. It was a very close match and La Mirada is a great team.”
Beginning this Saturday (Jan. 31), the CIF Dual Championships begin with a maximum of 16 teams each in six divisions. The championship finals will take place Thursday (February 5) at the highest ranked school in the final pool.
Downey figures to compete in one of those six divisions. (Teams are not available at press time).
“It’s not over, on Saturday is our CIF duals and La Mirada is the one seed, and we are currently eighth and we could match up in the quarterfinals. I hope we do and I’m a very competitive guy and I want it (a win) back.”
In probably one of the most exciting matches of the season for the Vikings, the winner wasn’t determined until the second to the last match of the evening.
With the Vikings trailing, 28-22, and needing a win at the 215 weight class to keep their hopes alive for a victory, it came down to overtime for the result.
Downey’s Aidan Tovar (215) wrestles La Mirada in their Gateway League match at Downey High School on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Downey junior Aidan Tovar and La Mirada’s Matthew Olivarez literally went toe-to-toe for the three exciting regulation periods and one OT to decide the match.
After an opening first period of no scoring with neither wrestler taking down the other, Olivarez gained a 1-0 lead in the second period with an escape. However, Tovar kept the hopes alive for Downey in the match with an escape of his own in the third period to send the match into overtime.
In the OT, Olivarez got a 3-point takedown to give the 3-point match decision to the Matadors for the 31-22 lead, and the team win with one match remaining. Downey junior heavyweight Sebastian Raygoza finished the night with a quick pin in the first 23 seconds of the match over La Mirada’s Siale Sitani for the 31-28 final.
“We knew the match was over after the 215 Lb. match and it went onto sudden victory,” Acevedo said. “Matt Olivarez from La Mirada is an absolute stud, but my 215 Aidan Tovar took him to the wire. He had a very rocky season, but he’s an amazing wrestler.”
As for the last match of the evening, Acevedo said, “I’m proud of Sebastian Raygoza, our heavyweight. That’s another guy when the nerves get the best of him and he came out there and took it to (Sitani) like we asked. That’s all you can do.”
Acevedo, who also has his father Edgar Acevedo, freshman coach Jay Frisher and two alumni Tyler Carpenter (2022) and Jose Luis Cortez (2023) as his assistants, said of the loss, “You know what, it’s not over,” he said. “We set a goal out as a team two years ago and it started with our captain, Jayden Plata (132 Lb. senior), and another of our captains, Raul Ronquillo (138 Lb. senior) pretty much set the tone for our culture.”
“If Ronquillo continues to open up and wrestle with more freedom, I see him as a strong state qualifier,” Acevedo said. “More importantly, Raul is the emotional leader of our team. He holds his teammates accountable, encourages them through tough moments, and provides a steady voice of leadership.”
In addition to those assistants, Kyle Acevedo said of his assistant Jose Aldape, “He has played a huge role in helping guide my vision for this program and has been my right-hand man every step of the way. This program would not be where it is today without his dedication, leadership, and belief in what we are building.”
Downey’s Daniel Barajas (106 Lb. senior) opened the match with a pin for the 6-0 lead in the first period over La Mirada’s Luke Montero.
“We had a tough dual against La Mirada and fell a little short,” Barajas said. “I pinned the kid in the first period. It was fun, I liked it.
“I took him down in the first period and he tried to roll and I caught him by jumping over and I pinned him from there. I like having competition and I don’t like it when things are easy and I just prepare myself what I’m good at.”
Barajas placed fourth at the Downey 32 and eighth at the Zinkin Classic.
“With a few small adjustments, I truly believe he has the potential to reach the state podium in February,” said Kyle Acevedo, of Barajas. “He is known for having one of the best high-crotch shots in the state and has gone toe-to-toe with multiple state-ranked opponents in hard-fought matches.”
After three straight losses in the 113 (technical fall), 120 (pin) and 126 (major decision) weight classes to trail, 15-6, Plata had the second pin for the Vikings over the Matadors Troy Montero. Plata (132 Lb.), who is currently ranked 13th in the state, brought his team within three points, 15-12.
“I pinned him the first period in like 40 seconds and did what I was supposed to,” he said. “I got my six and helped the team. I got my opportunity quick and shot in on the shot and got my cradle quick and just finished it quick.
“I think in our lineup we have so many people. We have varsity A and a varsity B and a JV A. I think with all three teams we are great.”
Plata placed first at the Downey 32, with MVP honors in the middleweight class and also finished seventh at the prestigious Zinkin Classic at Buchanan High School in Fresno. He also placed third in the Five Counties Tournament.
“He continues to set the standard for our team,” Acevedo said.
After a close, 10-9, loss by Ronquillo in the 138 weight class to fall six points back, 18-12, junior David Monroy (144) won an 8-4 decision to trail, 18-15, with eight matches left.
“Downey Wrestling to me is like a brotherhood,” Monroy said. “It means like a place you could go with your brothers and wrestle and put in the hard work. I just love the atmosphere that Downey Wrestling has provided for me.
“I honestly felt like we were prepared, but we fell short a little bit. We’re definitely going to see them again.
“My match kind of started out kind of slow in the first period and was not as aggressive as I would have liked, but I started opening on a shot and profited on that shot and went from there.”
La Mirada came right back with a close decision of its own to extend the lead to 21-15, in the 150 weight class.
Another 3-point decision came from Joseph Torres (157), to close again to within three points to trail, 21-18.
A 3-point (dec.) and four-point major decision extended the lead by the Matadors to seven points, 28-18, with three matches remaining.
Downey junior Jeremyah Quiroz (190) had a crucial, (at the time) major decision victory to close within four, 28-24.
Quiroz took a 7-1 lead in the first period on a takedown and near fall and ended up with a 12-3 win with only two matches left.
Unfortunately, the Vikings lost that 215 Lb. match and that turned out to be the end of the match.
Acevedo highlighted his remaining team.
“We also have a strong group of dark horses who I believe can make serious noise at CIF this year - junior Chris Jimenez (120), junior Jude Gudino (126), junior David Monroy (144), Joey Torres (157), junior Jeremyah Quiroz (190), and junior Aidan Tovar (215). Our lineup is tough and, notably, built largely around juniors, which speaks to the future of this program.
Also on the team are sophomore Ace That (113), junior Jorge Soria (165), sophomores Nery Larin (150) and Maxi Acosta (175).
“I have learned more about myself than I ever imagined,” Kyle Acevedo said. “Leading a program comes with high expectations, guiding young people, building relationships with families, and navigating the inevitable challenges that come with both. There have been many highs and lows along the way, but in my eighth year, I truly feel we have found our identity and established a strong culture.”
Part of that Culture he is talking about is the five CIF Dual Championships by Downey, one of which was led by coach Weisenburger and four by coach Soto, five runner ups and one third place. Acevedo has occasional contact from both Weisenburger and Soto.
They also have two CIF team titles, one runner up and one third place.
“While we have not yet matched the historic accomplishments of Downey’s past teams, this year’s team presents a special opportunity to join that legacy,” Acevedo added.
Acevedo, who is 24, took over the program in the 2018-’19 season.
“I have complete faith in this group,” Acevedo added. “I truly believe these young men are capable of competing with the best in California and continuing to build something special here at Downey.”