There has been too much change to gain stability for the Ocean View wrestling program.
This year, in Nolan Johnson’s first year as coach, the Seahawks are seeing the results of their hard work paying off.
Last week, the Seahawks had three wrestlers advance to the second day of the CIF-SS individuals (Noah Edsell, Zach Edsell and Daniel Serrano).
When the medals were finally handed out, the Edsell Brothers (Noah 106 and Zach 152) had secured a spot in the CIF-SS Masters Meet, which begins Friday at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
According to Johnson, this is the first time nine years that Ocean View will have a wrestler at Masters.
“His work ethic in the room is increasing every day,” Johnson said of Noah. “He’s just a wrestler now. He’s 100 percent into the sport, he’s establishing leadership in the room and we’re expecting big things from him. He’s real humble. He’s a great kid.”
Noah is the younger brother. He’s a sophomore.
He advanced to the semifinals at CIF and eventually finished third. His older brother, Zach, finished fourth at 152 pounds. Serrano is a junior.
Last year as a freshman, he said he went 2-2 and was eliminated.
This season, Noah was selected to the mid-season OCWCA All-Star Dual.
“I grew a lot, I gained 15 pounds,” he said. “We got a new coach and he’s taught us a lot more and we’re learning a lot more stuff.”
The success of a wrestling program is usually measured by what happens at the end of the season.
Last year, Ocean View (Zach Edsell) had one league champion. This year, there were three (Edsells and Serrano), with two still alive to chase down that ultimate goal of qualifying for the CIF State Tournament.
