Servite wrestler Johnny Beltran isn’t pleased quite yet.
The 182-pound junior is ranked first in his weight class in Orange County, placed first at the Westminster High Cossareck Classic. His worst finish of the season earned him runner-up at the La Costa Canyon tournament a few weeks ago.
But Beltran still believes he has something to prove.
The chip on his shoulder was even more evident over the weekend as Servite hosted the Mann Classic at Santiago Canyon College, a tournament Beltran failed to perform well at last season.
“Last year I lost to a guy I shouldn’t have lost to,” Beltran said of his quarterfinal exit.
“Anybody I lose to that I should lose to, I have no problem with. But the fact that I lost to somebody that I shouldn’t have motivated me this year.”
Beltran responded by winning the 182-pound weight class.
“He started for me as a freshman, and it was a learning experience year,” said Servite Coach Alan Clinton. “He has gotten tremendously better every year. But he really right now in his junior year is stating to blossom into an actual wrestler.”
Beltran, the No.1 seed in his 48-man bracket, went 5-0 to win his second individual tournament this season.
“I know guys want to take my head off, but there’s not too much pressure,” Beltran said of being the No. 1 seed. “I’m not scared of anybody. I learn from my mistakes. I wrestle every match my way, instead of trying to play anything safe.”
Servite, ranked No. 5 in the county and finished third overall in the team standings out of 48 schools despite starting two freshman and seven sophomores on its first team.
“We honestly have been doing a lot better than I expected,” Beltran said. “We have a really young team. As one of the older guys, I make sure everybody stays in line and everybody focuses on their match when they need to.”
The Friars will look to keep up the momentum when they head to the Sierra Nevada Classic in Reno this coming week.
Beltran, at 17-1 on the season, will look to claim his third individual tournament.
“I haven’t scouted who’s going to go or anything,” Beltran said.
“So I’m just expecting to go and beat whoever I have to beat.”
