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Anthony Baza top returner for Fremont
Firebirds take shot at league mat title
By Dick Sparrer
Bobby Soto is pretty darned excited.
And why wouldn't he be? After all, the Fremont coach has eight wrestlers back this season from a squad that finished sixth in the Central Coast Section. And two of them--seniors Anthony Baza and Chris Osian--are comeback state qualifiers.
"We're looking toward a top three finish in CCS," said Soto as he looked ahead to the 2000-01 season. "We have the potential of placing four or five wrestlers in CCS."
Topping the list is defending CCS champion Anthony Baza, who returns for his senior season at Fremont.
Baza, who heads to the Bianchini Tournament in Cupertino this week to defend his title, was the league and section champion at 135 pounds last winter and will move up to 140 pounds this year.
Osian, who also qualified for state after finishing fourth at CCS, will be a tough competitor at 112 pounds for the Firebirds this season.
Arturo Galano returns at 125 pounds after winning a league title and placing fifth at CCS last year. Jesse Huro (145) and Kai Garcia (125), who each placed at the league meet to qualify for CCS in 2000, are other top returners for Fremont.
Other top varsity prospects include Luke Tran (145), who won a junior varsity league title a year ago, and sophomores Bayardo Sanchez (135) and Daniel Atondo (152), who were each Fremont rookies of the year in 2000.
Juniors Alvin Cacdac (130) and Jimmy Hawkinson (145), sophomores Josh Desherlia (135) and Cesar Cornelio (125) and freshmen Mike Silva (135) and Amantha Hordagodo (103) are top newcomers for the Firebirds. Silva and Cornelio are both former middle school county champions.
"The lower weights have always been strong [at Fremont]," said Solo, "but look out for some upper weight surprises this season."
It won't surprise anyone in wrestling circles, though, that Soto considers his Fremont squad the favorite to win the title in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. The Firebirds rank as a top league contender along with Los Gatos and Cupertino.
'Birds win Classic
Fremont recently won the team title at the Gunderson Classic. The Firebirds ran up 173.5 points to finish ahead of host Gunderson (161) and third-place King City (123).
Baza was an individual champion for the 'Birds, winning by technical fall in the finals at 152 pounds.
Cornelio was second at 125 pounds for Fremont, losing an 11-6 decision in the finals.
League season opens
Prior to competing in the Bianchini and Ruppel tournaments this week, the Firebirds will open De Anza Division competition when they visit Santa Clara on Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m. A week later, the 'Birds face a tough test at Los Gatos on Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
