Galileo Wrestling 2005

Galileo Wins Round-Robin Title and All-City Championshp
Michelle Chang

We want to make a statement that Galileo can be All-City Champions, Co-Captain Patrick Louie said the day before the event. We want to show everyone that we can win All-City. And indeed they did.

On Saturday, February 26, Galileo Academys wrestling team snatched the title of All-City Champions after four years of placing second. When asked how he felt about finally bringing the All-City crown back to Galileo, Coach Larry Kane said, I am very proud and happy for this team, especially for the three four-year senior wrestlers, Clinton Wan, Leon Lin and Patrick Louie. I am so happy for those who have worked so hard for so long. We were clearly the best team going into the tournament. The Mighty Lions entered the event, hosted at Abraham Lincoln High School, as the undefeated Round Robin Champs after hammering the defending League and All-City Champions, the Washington Eagles, 52-15. They were a tough opponent, first-year wrestler Jackson Pham admitted. However, it seems as if we wanted it more and worked harder, so we finally brought it back home, where it belongs.

The All-City Championship saw a number of outstanding matches by the Lions, including one by the injured Kenny Griffin, who beat a tough senior co-captain from Lowell in overtime. During Louies winning final round match, his opponent had him in a tight hold with 20 seconds left on the clock and only needed to turn Louie over in order to secure his victory. However, the senior wrestler from Galileo held on and secured the win against Washington. In the end, the Eagles were named the runner-up, with Lowell High School winning third place.

There is no doubt the G-House team consists of a number of exceptional wrestlers. Junior Louie Baker (140 lbs), sophomore Eugene Bibbs (130 lbs) and heavyweight Ryan Piliae all placed third. Fourth place winners included Griffin (119 lbs), sophomore Joe Booth Medwali (135 lbs), senior Zach Denny (160 lbs), sophomore Royce Bonnilla (171 lbs) and freshman John Funegra (215 lbs).

What did the team, whose members bleached their hair and dyed it purple as a way to exhibit their school spirit at All-City, do differently in comparison to previous years that contributed to their recent triumph? There were three factors, with one being that this Galileo team is better. The leadership of Wan, Lin and Louie made the difference, Coach Kane revealed. Another is that we stayed together and relatively healthy and eligible the entire season. Of the past four years, either an injury, eligibility or something else hurt our chances. To win the City Championship, you need all 14 wrestlers competing at All-City to win, and this happened this year.

Third, we had some great first-year wrestlers who really made a difference, like freshman Sam Chue at 103 lbs, who pinned his way through the City Championships. In addition to the thrilling victory at All-City, the Home of the Purple and Gold hopes its five City Champions will bring back medals from the CIF State Championships held March 4 and 5 in Bakersfield, California. They include Chue at 103lbs, Louie at 112 lbs, Lin at 145lbs, Wan at 152 lbs and sophomore Alex Denny at 189 lbs. When asked to describe how he felt about the prospect of competing against the top wrestlers in the state and how he will prepare for the event, Chue answered saying, Its my first year, so I dont know what to expect. Im going to work hard and make sure I make weight.

[The wrestlers] seem to get stronger each year, both physically as well as mentally, Michael Roman, an English instructor who has followed the progress of the team for the last four to five years, said. They are exciting to watch and have a certain energy while wrestling.

As if an All-City trophy and five out of 14 City Champions from the AAA San Francisco Section is not enough excitement for the squad, Wan, a two-time City Champ, recently broke Galileos record for 34 single-season wins after securing his 37th single-season victory at the League Round Robin Championship. In addition, Wan captured his 100th career win at All-City. The senior said he was pretty excited and that all his hard work and practice paid off. Work hard and try to wrestle better wrestlers who have more experience, Wan advised to those who are new to the sport as well as those who wish to improve their wrestling skills.
As the head coach of Galileo's wrestling team for 11 years, Coach Kane possesses an impressive record himself, with six League Round Robins and three City Championships as Gals coach.

When inquired about what he attempts to bring into the sport as a coach, Coach Kane said, I try to bring in important life skills. We have a wrestling code of conduct, which I expect the kids to follow. There is no swearing and there should be respect, honor, hard work, discipline and commitment. These will make the kids successful in all their endeavors, not just wrestling.

From the members perspective, the wrestling team is a closely-knit group. Griffin describes his teammates as a great team that is very unified, while Bibbs reveals that he wanted to do his best to help win the All-City tournament for Coach Kane and the senior. What does Coach Kane have to say about this seasons wrestlers? The team deserved the win; we worked harder than all of our opponents. But, we need to start working for next year now freestyle wrestling and lifting weights.

With unwavering determination and commitment, the G-House wrestling team proves that its hard work and devotion can go a long way, in fact, how they can go all the way.

Lion Grapplers Poised for Perfection
L. Kane

As we head into the final weeks of the season, the Lion Grapplers have raised their League Record to 5-0 defeating Mission 66-12 and Marshall 65-12 over the last two weeks. Last weekend, the Lions raised their over-all record to 10-3 as the team swept San Rafeal, Justin Sienna and Del Norte High at the Marin Catholic Invitational. The Lions took 2nd out of 16 teams at Marin Catholic as the team lost by 3 team points to San Marin.

Leading the Lions is Senior Co-Captain Clinton Wan who took 1st at Marin Catholic and raised his overall record to 29-3. If Clinton can win the rest of his matches prior to the States he can break the Galileo single season win record and achieve a 100 matches won in a high school career. An incredible result. Also, coming on very strong is Sophmore Eugene Bibbs and Junior Louis Baker, who both have won over 20 matches this season and should win 30 matches before the end.

Galileo Ends Eagles' Championship Streak
L. Kane

The last time the Galileo Lion Wrestling team defeated the Washington was when our Seniors were in 8th Grade. For the last 3 years, Wash beat the Lions. The streak finally ended this afternoon with a loud exclamation point!!! Galileo 52 -Wash 15. The Lions hope to stop Wash City Championship streak this Saturday at Lincoln High.

The Lions dominated the Eagles, wining 11 out of the 12 matches actually wrestled and winning many close hard fought matches. With the win, the Lions take the SF AAA League Round Robin, going 7-0 while Wash takes second at 6-1.

The Lions will enter this Saturday's City Championship at Lincoln High School the favorites but will need to work hard against a much stronger AAA than in the past years. Lowell, O'C and Wash will be strong challengers to the Lions for top honors.

Also, Senior Co-Captain Clinton Wan has secured Galileo's single season win record -winning his 35 match on the season. If he wins the City Championship, he can secure 100 career wins.

Today's Wash-Galileo meet started with some behind the scene strategy by each Coach. The Eagles took an early 6-0 lead as they pushed their two-time City Champ - Ben Lockett --up a weight class to face Galileo's newcomer Eugene Bibbs at 130 lbs. The Lions did not fall for the trap and forfeited to Lockett. The Lions then proceeded to pound Wash by wining the next 5 matches --first Galileo's Sophmore Eugene Bibbs won by tech fall at 135, then Gal's Junior Louis Baker beat a defending Wash City Champ at 140 lbs by 4-3, and then three Gal Senior's Leon Lin at 145 lbs, Zachary Denny at 154 lbs and Clinton Wan at 160 lbs - all scored pins. The Lions stormed to a 26-6 lead.

The Eagles then struck back with a close 7-4 win at 171 lbs and a forfeit win at 189 lbs. With the score now 26-15, the Eagles were right back in the match and could see keeping their streak against the Lions alive. The pivotal match was at 215 lbs. Lion Alex Denny had taken an early 4-1 lead but then got caught in a very tight head lock. Alex fought off his back and then recovered with a takedown and finally scored the pin. With Alex's effort, the Lions wrestlers responded --winning all the remaining matches, including Sophmore Ryan Piliae at Hwy by pin, Freshman Sam Chue at 103 lbs by a 6-3 decision, Senior Patrick Louie at 112 lbs by a 7-3 decision (against an opponent who had pinned him earlier this year), Junior Kenny Griffin at 119 lbs by 9-0 decision and Senior Jackson Pham at 125 lbs by a 13-3 decision.