In a tough yet close dual meet, wrestling lost 27-45 to Palo Alto High School yesterday, December 20, in its season opener. Palo Alto entered the meet ranked eighth in CCS, and the young Los Altos squad demonstrated the relative insignificance of numbers and rankings in the sport of wrestling.

Both teams are undergoing a rebuilding year of sorts after graduating several top seniors. While the Eagles were overwhelmed at times by the sheer physicality of the Vikings, the team was characterized by its solid and unrelenting display of heart and mental grit.

Individual standouts included sophomores Brian Wang and Briham Martinez, both who scored pins, earning six points apiece for Los Altos. In a heavyweight match, senior Paul Hernandez, ranked fifth in CCS, defeated his opponent to score three points for Los Altos. The Eagles accumulated additional points due to byes, bringing their final score to 27 points.

Despite their success at the lighter and heavier weights, the Eagles struggled to find their rhythm against the midweight core of Palo Alto’s line up, dropping 21 points in the process.

While the team defied expectations even in defeat, they are not fully satisfied with their performance, and are ever looking to improve. Even with the holiday break around the corner, the coaching staff is unrelenting. Following the match, head coach Randy Jimenez clearly stated his expectations for his wrestlers.

“We will have a week off,” Jimenez said. “But that doesn’t mean you will be sitting on your tushie, eating Grandma’s tamales. What you will do is run first thing in the morning, every day.”