Paso Robles freshman Kevan Garcia wrestles Atascadero senior Kyle Ward during the Bearcats’ final dual league meet of the season on Feb. 2. Garcia won the match by 7-4 decision. Photo by Aaron Crutchfield.

PRHS Wrestling

The Bearcats lost their final dual meet of the season to Atascadero on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 55-11.

The Bearcats had three wrestlers win their matches. Kevan Garcia won in the 130-pound weight division by 7-4 decision. Cesar Delgado (160) won by 14-10 decision and heavyweight Justin McAfee won by pin.

Paso Robles coach Chris Monteiro felt the match, albeit a loss, was no reflection of the 2009-10 season the Bearcats had, who have five freshmen on the team this year. The Bearcats finished out the regular season, 16-3, 4-2, for a third-place finish in league with Atascadero finishing first and Righetti finishing second.

"We definitely lost some matches that we shouldn't have lost, but because of injuries, I lost five seniors this year to injuries, and that's twenty years of experience if you add it up," said Monteiro.

Headed into the PAC 7 finals on Saturday, Feb. 6, Monteiro said the Bearcats are only four points behind Atascadero and two points behind Righetti, "so that's how it adds up for the league tournament, and then depending on how we place there, they combine the points and that's how you come up with league champions and what not," Monteiro said.

"The PAC 7 is a really, really tough league, that's why we wrestle Division I, and if you don't bring your 'A' game and have your athletes healthy, you're going to pay for it in a match like that," he said of the dual meet against Atascadero.

Monteiro said he feels confident that a number of his wrestlers should continue on into CIF competition that begins Feb. 13 with team competition, and Feb. 19 and 20 for individual competition.

Delgado and McAfee are undefeated in league, with 6-0 records. And Ryan Miller (125) and Jeremiah Vaughn (189) are both 5-1 in league.

"We've got a good future in front of us," added Monteiro.

The PAC 7 wrestling finals take place at Righetti High School starting at 9 a.m.



First Tee golf scholarship

Paso Robles High School senior and First Tee member Wes Levanduski has been named to the First Tee Scholar-Class of 2010.

The First Tee Scholars Program, which began in 2001, recognizes participants of the program for their exceptional achievement in academics, leadership, character development and First Tee chapter and community involvement.

Since 2003, the program has named 295 scholars and awarded 78 scholarships, with several schools in the U.S. partnering with The First Tee to offer merit-based scholarships.

With that designation, Levanduski can apply for educational scholarship programs offered through the First Tee towards attending a participating college or university of his choosing.

"I am very honored to receive this award," Levanduski said in a press release. "Attending college has always been a priority for me and the opportunites The First Tee has given me have helped me with my college choice and future career path."

Levanduski plans on attending the University of Colorado, where he will study professional golf management, with a bachelor of science in marketing.

Levanduski has been a member of First Tee since 2003.

He attended the Future Leaders Forum held at Disney World in Florida in 2007. In the summer of 2009, he attended the Players Advanced Academy and competed for a chance to play at the Wal-Mart First Tee Open in Pebble Beach Golf Course in Monterey for the second year in a row. While at the Open, he had the opportunity to play golf alongside PGA professionals on the Champions Tour.

In September of 2009, he attended the Unilever Leaders Forum held in Pebble Beach, and applied for and received a $1,000 grant to be used for a community service project.

Levanduski used the grant money to support his local Boy Scout Troop and the Oak Park Community Center's yearly Christmas Angles gift giving and parties.

"Wes has been an incredible addition to The First Tee Central Coast both as a participant and as an ambassador for our youth service program. He believes and lives the Nine Core Values stressed in The First Tee. He is courteous, respectful, responsible and demonstrates integrity in all aspects of his life," said The First Tee of the Central Coast education director Bart Ellerbroek in a press release.

Levanduski begins his final year as a member of the varsity boys golf team when the season gets under way in March.

For the complete article see the 02-05-2010 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 02-05-2010 paper.

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