Saratoga News Lorenz chasing a legend at Bianchini Tournament By Dick Sparrer Kurt Lorenz will be trying to match a legend when he represents Oak Grove in the upcoming Gary Bianchini wrestling tournament at Cupertino this weekend. Lorenz hopes to become just the second wrestler ever to become a four-time champion at the rugged Bianchini event, a feat accomplished only by the legendary Aki Yoshikawa of host Cupertino. Yoshikawa was a state and national champion for the Pioneers back in 1991. But that came only after he won division championships at the Bianchini in each of his four seasons on the Cupertino varsity squad. Lorenz won Bianchini as a freshman, sophomore and junior, and now will try to add his fourth straight title as a senior. "I didn't think anyone would ever match that record," said Cupertino coach Jay Lawson, tournament director for the 14th annual Bianchini and Danny Ruppel Memorial Wrestling Tournament. Lawson figures Vacaville to be the title favorite in the varsity division, with competition coming from Oak Grove, Monta Vista, Del Oro, Turlock, Bellarmine, Dos Pueblos and Hollister. Cupertino, Del Mar, Fremont, Gonzales, Homestead, James Lick, Lincoln, Los Gatos, Lynbrook, Mills, Monterey, Palo Alto, Palma, Piedmont Hills, Prospect, St. Francis, San Lorenzo Valley, Santa Clara, Santa Teresa, Turock, Valley Christian and Westmont will also compete in the tourney. Dinh leads Westmont Phat Dinh will lead the Westmont effort at the Bianchini tournament this weekend. The senior standout is coming off of an outstanding performance at the Lynn Dyche Classic at James Lick. Dinh won the individual title at 130 pounds and was named the most outstanding wrestler in the lower weights (103-140 pounds). Dinh finished second at 119 pounds as a junior at the Bianchini. A year earlier, he had finished fifth in the same weight class. Dinh led the Warriors to a team fifth at at the Dyche Classic. Westmont finished with 142 1/2 points to end up behind Palma (164), Los Altos (162), Cupertino (155) and Lick (143 1/2). All four teams will compete in the Bianchini this weekend. Dat Dinh (103), Tony Jimenez (112), Brodie Gorman (152), Tony Oka (171) and Greg Woodland (215) each finished third at the Dyche tournament for the Warriors, and all will be in action for Westmont this weekend. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 6, 1999. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.