Joey Cisneros – Redwood HS

Joey Cisneros – Redwood High, Senior

Imagine being within a grasp of accomplishing your dreams in back-to-back seasons to be a California state medalist in wrestling, but yet, fail to do so?

Some individuals might feel the need to feel mad, upset and quit wrestling after experiencing such a devastating experience. But not Redwood high school’s wrestling star, Joey Cisneros.
Cisneros was back in training mode the day after he got home from the California state tournament.

“I began putting extra hours in the gym, running more and watching videos of NCAA wrestlers to start practicing new moves and trying them on my opponents,” Cisneros, said.

All that hard work paid off. A week after the CIF state tournament, he traveled to Selland Arena in Fresno, California and won the California Frosh/Soph state tournament with five pins. Not one of his opponents got past the second round.

“Being a Frosh/Soph state champion was an excellent feeling. But I needed to prove to myself that I was able to wrestle the best and win”

That mental attitude took him to wrestle in the USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle National tournament in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He cruised through the competition beating a state medalist from Kansas and Iowa before falling in the finals to a Florida state champion, 13-3. It was the first time Cisneros wrestled in the Folkstyle National tournament.

“Coming here (Folkstyle Nationals) is teaching me that I can definitely compete with the best in the nation and all my training is paying off.”

A true testament to all the hours and sweat he has put in the gym and mat.

Cisneros started wrestling at a young age of eight years old for the Pioneer Wrestling Club. Wrestling success came fast for young Cisneros. He was medaling in every tournament he would enter in the Golden State. He was winning local, regional and state titles at ease. Many coaches in California from the top Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling clubs began to take notice of this young man from Visalia, California. He was beating some of their best as well as future state medalists (K. Olivas, D. Lloren, P. Perez, A. Molina, T. Gilliland, J. Gaytan, N. Colunga and others).

“We all know each other since our youth days and have been beating each other so many times is not even funny.”

With the help of his coaches at his new wrestling club Ranger, Cisneros elevated his wrestling skills in both Greco Roman and Freestyle. He decided to attend USA Wrestling Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. Fargo is considered the top notch tournament when it comes to Freestyle and Greco Roman.

“All the best kids from every state attend this tournament. The cream of the crop in wrestling rises to the top and become National Champions and All-Americans.”

Cisnero’s decision paid off as he became a double All-American for the first time in his career. He was a finalist at 106 pounds in both the Freestyle and Greco Roman styles of this tournament. He beat kids from Pennsylvania, Iowa, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Montana and New York to be in the finals of both tournaments. With his success at Fargo he should be ranked in the upcoming rankings of Amateur Wrestling News (One of the best High School rankings in the nation).

“My future goals are to wrestle in college and win a national title and go on to international wrestling. Someday in the near future, I hope to represent the United States and win the Olympics.”

Issac Bertallato – Turlock HS

Wrestler Spotlight – Issac Bertalotto, Turlock High

How relieved were you after not placing in 2012, but finally becoming a state medalist in 2013?

It was a good feeling knowing that my name was going to be written in the record books of the state tournament and Turlock High. I consider medaling in California a big step towards future goals.

What is your favorite wrestling move and why?

A regular headlock because I’ve been hitting it since I was five years old.

How’s the atmosphere in the Turlock wrestling room?

We at Turlock are a big family that gets along with each other. The team jokes around but we work hard and get things done when comes down to it.

Toughest opponent you have faced?

Definitely Aaron Pico my freshman year at frosh/soph state.

Who got you into this amazing sport of wrestling?

I grew up in a family of wrestlers. My parents started me in wrestling when I was four years old.

Do you have a ritual you do before every wrestling match?

Yes I do. I do the sign of the cross before I shake every opponent’s hand.

What do you do in the off-season to prepare for the regular season?

I just try to stay in shape and wrestle in mostly every tournament held in California. I also attend Fargo to wrestle the best in the nation.

What are your future goals?

I hope to become a state champion before I graduate and wrestle at a Division one collage.

What is your favorite food?

I love sea food. Fish, shrimp, lobster and all the good food from the sea.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?

I really dislike scary movies.

Dante Duke – El Dorado HS

Welcome to the Third edition of “Wrestler Spotlight.” We will published one every week to give a wrestling description of a wrestler who is a strong candidate to be All-State. This week’s wrestler is a senior from one of the top teams in Southern California. This wrestler is making some noise and have garner some attention in the state. This individual may not always be ranked very high in the state but has made us take notice of him.

Dante Duke of El Dorado High was a state qualifier last season from the tough “Meat Grinder” known as the Southern Section. This season he has a record of 32-3 with all loses coming at 285 pounds. He has wrestled the majority of tournaments at 285 pounds but he recently dropped to the 220 pound class just in time to make another run to qualify for state. He has won The Ed Springs Invitational, The Kern County Invitational and has medaled at the El Dorado Invitational and the California Coast Classic Tournament.

Duke is an exciting wrestler to watch in every match he wrestles. One thing that stands out is his ability to control his hips. He uses them well on his counters, to maneuver away from moves that his opponents attempt on him to bring him down. A favorite move he uses to get his takedowns is a high crotch. He’s also a great wrestler from the top position. He has a series of arm bar moves that he does to take his opponents to their backs.

Duke has all the tools to be a very successful wrestler in college with his great mat awareness and the ability to adapt to any coaching style.

Duke is currently coached by Steve Lawson who was a California High School State Champion, 3X CIF SS Masters Champion, 3X CIF SS Champion, Junior National Champion, 4X Junior National All-American and 2X Espoir National Champion

Notable Wins: Justin Gillham (Oak Hills), Jesse Gomez (Buena Park), Jose Alvarez (Selma), Carlos Molina (Yorba Linda) and Anthony Farias (Santa Ana).