Ramona Bulldog Wrestling Team Reclaimed Valley League Title

Coach Steve Koch talks with his undefeated Valley League Champions. Photo by John JOnes

By Coach Pete Zindler

The Ramona Bulldog Wrestling Team reclaimed the Valley League title going undefeated in dual meets.

It all began with an exciting win at San Pasqual. The Eagles were poised for the win. The match was back and forth, but Senior Steve DeBell at 189 lbs. delivered a hard fought win and the match. Both teams won 7 matches, but the Bulldogs picked up points by scoring pins in 5 of 7 wins.

The following week Escondido, the defending Valley League Champs traveled to Ramona. Again Senior Steve DeBell stepped up and pinned his opponent sealing the victory for Ramona and a chance for their first Valley League Title in 3 years.

The Varsity entered two local tournaments and came away with two championships. They defeated 57 other teams from San Diego and further north at Scripps Ranch. Team Captain Cody Seevers, state qualifier Chris Kirk, and Anthony Dugan wrestled and won their weight classes in the finals. Kirk was named outstanding lightweight wrestler. At the San Pasqual tournament, the Bulldogs prevailed against 28 area schools. Kirk and Seevers claimed champions and heavyweight, Ryan Stone. Jarret Pierce, and lightweight Wally Saldivar were runners-up. Kirk was named outstanding lightweight wrestler. Entering the final month of wrestling, Seevers record stands at a remarkable 132-41 over the past four years.

The third Valley League dual meet in Valley Center was led by seniors Kevin Orr, Matt Swearingen, Seevers, Pierce and DeBell. Matt Swearingen pinned his opponent in overtime to seal the win and a great shot at the Valley League Title.

With a win at Mission Hills, San Marcos came to Ramona. A victory provided the Bulldogs with the league championship with one opponent left - Orange Glen. Orange Glen was defeated 51-19 and Ramona became undefeated Valley League Champs.

Ramona Junior Varsity lost only one dual meet against San Pasqual by one point, 34-33.

At the end of the year, they claimed their first team title as they came back to win the JV rumble at Escondido with the Valley League teams and six others. The JVs claimed four champions and two runners' up. Ramona's Max Hughes was named outstanding wrestler of the meet.

One of the best performances of the year was by Brett Germain who upset a top seeded Poway wrestler at JV counties. After pinning his undefeated opponent, Brett was named outstanding wrestler of the tournament and finished the year 29-1. Brian Orr was crowned JV county champion as he pinned his Poway opponent in the title match just before Bretts. This is the first time Ramona has ever had two JV county champions. John Powers was the last Bulldog JV county champion 10 years ago.

In January, at Eastlake, Ramona placed third with four champions. Germain, Orr, Logan Pierce and Dannery Apaez all were crowned champions while Brian Orr was named outstanding wrestler of the tournament.

Over the years JV teams have rarely had a most valuable wrestler in any tournament, but this year they walked away with a record three outstanding wrestlers in three different tournaments.

The Ramona Wrestling Team is led by Head Coach Steve Koch, Coaches Duane Guiles and Tyson Knaierim; both of whom wrestled for Koch as Bulldogs just a few years ago. Backing up Koch are Coaches Pete Zindler and John Rodriguez.