German Can Already Taste It

Will German has a chance to make history at the state wrestling championships, but all he can think about is food.

German, a senior from San Fernando High, was seventh in the state last year at 171 pounds and could become the first City Section wrestler to place twice at the state meet if he repeats his top-eight performance this weekend at University of the Pacific in Stockton.

He should have visions of trophies and medals dancing in his head, but instead he dreams of cheeseburgers, pizza and French fries.

German will wrestle again at 171 pounds, but his normal weight is 205. German cut weight for wrestling in part because it made his team stronger and because he and Coach Mike Castillo thought he would have a better shot of placing in the top eight at state.

But whether he places or not, German plans to take no prisoners at the local fast-food eateries after the match.

“I’m going to eat everything I see,” German said. “I’m gonna put all of my weight back on.”

German said he ran three times a day, every day, for a month in order to get his weight down, but only after some pressing by Castillo. German played running back and linebacker during football season and hopes to play football in college.

“At first he had a problem with dropping weight because he wanted to stay fat,” Castillo joked. “He thinks he’s a football player so he wants to be fat.”

Fat doesn’t cut it in wrestling, especially at the state meet, where there are no chumps. But a little fatter might have meant a less-bumpy road for German this year.

German’s first match will be against Anthony Rubalcava of Modesto Davis, a wrestler who beat German in a freestyle tournament last summer. In turn, German has beaten Kirk Davis of Arroyo Grande, the top-ranked 189-pound wrestler, three times.

“I thought 171 would be the optimum weight for him to wrestle at,” Castillo said. “He’s big for a 171-pounder and he has the advantage because he’ll be on his feet more. At 189, it’s a lot more on the ground.”

Only time will tell if they made the right decision. German said he isn’t thinking about making history. He dominated the City Section finals with pins in all three of his matches and became the third wrestler to win four consecutive City titles.

He just hopes to stay on the same roll when he arrives in Stockton.

“There’s no pressure,” German said. “I’m just trying to stay focused. My plan is to just wrestle smart, that’s all. I’m not really working on any moves, I’m just going to take whatever I see.”

German went 30-3 this season, including a victory in the North Torrance tournament and a second place at the Leemore Bash, when he wrestled at 189 pounds.

And even though this chance to make history should be an exciting time for German, he said he can’t wait until it’s over.

“Then I won’t have to make weight anymore,” German said. “It’s not that it’s too tough, it’s just that I like to eat.”