Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Beyond the Mat: Willow Glen's Amir Faraj-Perry works over his Oak Grove opponent in a dual match last week. Faraj-Perry ended up losing the match, though, and so did the Rams.
Arballo's season comes to abrupt end
Willow Glen mat star breaks his forearm
By Dick Sparrer
It had all the appearances of being James Arballo's finest hour. The Willow Glen senior was living up to his No. 2 seeding in the Bash at Lemoore, one of the state's top high school wrestling tournaments, held in late December near Fresno.
Arballo won his first four matches to reach the finals at 130 pounds, beating the No. 1-ranked wrestler from the Central Section and the No. 2-ranked wrestler from the Southern Section to get there.
But then disaster struck for the Willow Glen mat star. In an instant, Arballo's tournament--and possibly his senior season--came to a startling end. Just 31 seconds into the championship match, with the wrestlers battling for a position of control, Arballo suffered a broken arm.
"He broke his forearm in the finals," said a disappointed Willow Glen coach Phil Luna. And with it, Arballo's senior season was put on hold at 18-0.
The injury led to surgery on the arm and most likely ended what appeared would be a sensational senior season for Arballo. He had won tournament titles at the Willow Glen Duals and the Lynn Dyche Classic and was undefeated at 130 pounds this season.
More than that, he was the physical and emotional leader for the Willow Glen team, from whom Luna expected big things from this winter.
"He's got a great attitude, though," said Luna of Arballo. "He's still coming out to practice, and he's in there helping out."
Stepping up to take over the leadership role for the Rams has been senior Mike Jaramillo.
"Mike's doing the job," said Luna of the 140 pounder. "He's really taking care of business."
Jaramillo was one of four Willow Glen wrestlers to reach the quarter-finals at the Bash at Lemoore, joining Arballo, Amir Faraj-Perry and Adrian Morales. Faraj-Perry (275) and Morales (171) each ended up in the top 12 in their weight divisions, but Jaramillo came on strong to finish third at 140 pounds.
The four placers helped Willow Glen to an impressive 20th-place finish in the rugged 64-team tournament, finishing ahead of all of the other Central Coast Section teams in the field.
CCS entries included North Monterey County (currently ranked ninth in the section), Overfelt (ranked 15th), Alisal and Palma.
Willow Glen returned to action in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League following the Bash, but had to face title-favorite Oak Grove... without Arballo. The Rams lost a 55-22 decision to the Eagles.
Despite the lopsided score, the Rams had their moments in the loss. Jaramillo, Morales and Frank Sarinana each pinned their Oak Grove opponents, and Joel Drescher won a major decision.
"Mike went out and pinned his kid in 17 seconds," said Luna of Jaramillo's quick pin at 140 pounds.
Sarinana won with a third-round fall at 135 pounds, and Morales pinned in the second round at 171.
Drescher opened up an 11-1 lead at 215 pounds, and ultimately settled for a 12-4 victory for the Rams.
Willow Glen had to forfeit at three weights against Oak Grove, and the Eagles pinned in five divisions.
The loss evened Willow Glen's record at 1-1 in the division and 5-5 overall. The Rams take on another powerhouse this week when they visit Silver Creek on Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m.
"Silver Creek is one of the top teams in our section," said Luna. "But we match up with them better than we did with Oak Grove."
Following the league bout, Willow Glen will take part in the Overfelt Classic, with junior varsity competition on Jan. 18, 3 p.m., and varsity action all day Saturday.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
