The Sunnyvale Sun
Sports
Novachkov moves up, but still winning
By Mike Barnhart
Fremont's Boris Novachkov, who won a state wrestling crown last winter as a 103-pound junior, has moved up three weight classes this season. Look out 125-pounders! Based on early season results, the only thing that has changed is how hard Novachkov's opponents fall.
After winning Outstanding Wrestler awards at the prestigious Walsh Ironman Tournament in Ohio and the Zinkin Classic in Clovis, Novachkov is the top-rated 125-pounder in the state, according to the "California Wrestler Newsletter" rankings of Jan. 11. The Fremont senior already has accepted a scholarship offer to join his older brother, Filip, on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's wrestling team next fall.
If Boris stays healthy and survives the gauntlet of the Central Coast Section and CIF championship meets, he would become the first Santa Clara Valley Athletic League wrestler to win two state crowns. Last season the Novachkov brothers and teammate Greg Crane joined former Cupertino stars Matt Olejnik (1981) and Aki Yoshikawa (1991) as the only SCVAL wrestlers to win state titles.
Led by Novachkov, Fremont is off to a 2-0 start in SCVAL-De Anza Division dual meets this season. But, as usual with Fremont teams co-coached by Bobby Soto and Erik Duus, there is more than one talented wrestler on the squad.
Seniors Jimmy Staats (285) Mark Scandalis (140) and Atcheson Brittle (160), junior Daunte Mills (152) and sophomore Kenny La (145) all competed in the CCS tournament last season. The seniors and Mills join Novachkov as top-10 wrestlers, according to the California Wrestler CCS rankings. As a team, the Firebirds are ranked No. 6 in the section.
Fremont's varsity line-up also includes senior Ben Sherman (125), juniors La Quintin Cathey (130) and Donny Mena (215), sophomores Logan Andren (135), Luis Ramirez (130), Robert Ramirez (171), Keith Bragas (189) and Jesus Guerrero (215) and freshmen Casey Johnson (119) and Joe Johnson (112). In addition, the Firebirds have a junior varsity roster of 29 boys and girls.
"We are excited to have such a huge team this year, almost triple the amount that we've ever had," Soto said.
In their most recent dual meet, the Firebirds defeated Gunn 48-27 on Jan. 11. Scandalis, Mills, Brittle, Staats, Cathy and the Johnsons all won by pin. Scandalis put his opponent's back to the mat in just 20 seconds.
Novachkov claimed an 8-2 decision over talented Titan senior opponent Kiyoshi Kawano, who is ranked third in the CCS at 119, and L. Ramirez won a 4-0 decision at 130.
The Firebirds opened the SCVAL dual season with a 48-21 win at Palo Alto.
J. Johnson pinned his 112 opponent at 1:05 in the first round, and C. Johnson followed with a 9-3 decision at 119. Filling in for Novachkov at 125, Ramirez won 7-4. Cathy was a forfeit winner at 130, but Andren dropped a tough 7-5 decision at 135.
Scandalis did not waste any time at 140, pinning in 30 seconds. La was even quicker at 145, pinning in just 20 seconds. Mills and Brittle also nailed first round pins. Palo Alto scored pins in three upper weight bouts, but Staats claimed the heavyweight match for Fremont with a second-round pin.
Several Fremont JV performers fared well at Cupertino High's Ruppel 2nd Man Tournament on Jan. 5. The Firebirds, led by sophomore Pat Washington's individual championship at 215 pounds, placed sixth out of 25 schools.
R. Ramirez took third at 171, while Paul Sanchez (189) and Chris Karabats (275) picked up fourths and Mark Alcantara (119) took a sixth. Warrick Africa (112) and Monet Goldman (160) both finished eighth.
The Firebirds get back into dual meet action at Wilcox on Thursday, Jan. 18, then they will take part in the Overfelt Tournament, Jan. 20 in San Jose.
