High School Wrestling Preview: Edison adds state-caliber talent to oppose Fountain Valley

Edison High’s wrestling program might check the clock to see if it has been turned back to 1848.

Simply put, the Chargers struck gold in the form of two top-flight transfers in the offseason. Even better, both of them were declared eligible for the start of the season.

Elijah Palacio came over from Calvary Chapel. Jared Williams, a transfer from Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, was also supposed to wrestle for the Eagles, but Williams said he had a falling out with the program when head coach Sal Garcia and assistant coach Jake Harman were let go in late July.

It is not every day that a team gets to add two wrestlers ranked in the top 10 of their weight class in the state. The new state rankings released by the California Wrestler on Thursday had Palacio slotted at No. 5 among 132-pounders. Williams, meanwhile, jumped to fourth at 152 pounds by virtue of his championship match victory over Servite’s Troy Madrigal (ranked fifth) in the Mann Class last Saturday.

Palacio and Williams are both seniors. Chargers coach Pete Escandon noted that their presence at practice has drawn the attention of their teammates. What first began as awe for their new leaders has now been overcome by a desire to match the work ethic of the decorated newcomers.

Edison was a middle-of-the-pack team in Sunset League duals in 2016. Eager to show that they have closed the gap, the Chargers placed second in a field of over 20 schools in their host tournament, the Edison Beach Bash, on Dec. 9.

Fountain Valley edged Edison 192-177, but the Chargers were even in total weight division winners with three. Zack Lund (182), Williams (152) and Palacio (138) won their brackets, much to the delight of the home crowd.

For the Barons, their push was largely supported by the work of their own newcomers, as freshmen Max Wilner (145) and Luis Ramirez (132) came out of their draws as champions.

Dylan Zotea is another freshman to watch for the Barons, having reached the 132-pound final opposite of Ramirez in the Mann Classic.

The new crop of talent, combined with veterans such as Trenton Ching, Chanson Ching and Jacob Taub, have the Barons pinned as the favorite to win the Sunset League again.

Marina was the closest challenger to Fountain Valley last year. Both teams were 4-0 in league dual meets when the teams squared off last season, with the Barons clinching their sixth straight Sunset League crown via a 32-26 victory.

Vikings coach Chris Rasmussen says his team is not as deep this year, but John McCoy, a 2016 Daily Pilot Dream Team selection, is returning at 145 pounds. The senior was a Masters Meet qualifier and the CIF Southern Section Southern Division runner-up to Fountain Valley’s Karson Ayres last season.

McCoy has lost twice to Wilner already this season, but Rasmussen believes that the gap can be closed.

“I think he has a chance on any day,” Rasmussen said of McCoy. “I believe in John. He’s an older one. He’s not as fragile. He’s not afraid to lose.

“[Wilner] beat John, so he will take his seed every time we go anywhere. John will be the three seed, and he will be the two seed anywhere we go until the end of the season.”

Xander Moreno, a Dream Team member and a CIF State meet qualifier at 145 last season, has not returned to the wrestling mat in his senior year at Newport Harbor.

Newport Harbor has been scoring most of its points in the upper-weight divisions, with Austin Osumi (195), Miguel Licona (220) and JJ Perez (285) leading the way.

Noah Edsell continues to carry the torch for Ocean View. The senior was named the lower-weight MVP of the Mater Dei Scott Davis Tournament at 126 pounds. In the Mann Classic, he placed fifth.

Corona del Mar has started off well in the Pacific Coast League. After posting a single league win against Northwood a season ago, the Sea Kings have opened the current campaign at 2-0 in league. The wins have come against Beckman and University.

Sea Kings coach Mark Alex expects Irvine to be the class of the league. CdM hosts Irvine on Jan. 17.

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