By Terry Carter, RTT, CHyp.
This weekend’s Region III-6A Wrestling Championships will separate the identify the grappling giants, and Katy may have an inside track at the Merrell Center despite excellent competition.
The Tigers have won the last seven consecutive Region III crowns in an impressive run. They have captured 7-of-8 recent district titles also. But it does not get easier, Katy head wrestling coach Vinnie Lowe said.
Both the Katy boys’ and girls’ teams won the District 9-6A team championships last weekend. Now the number of good wrestlers begins to give way to another key factor.
“It’s not so much about quantity at regionals, as it is quality,” Lowe explained this week. “But every wrestler needs to score points now. The creme really starts to rise to the top.”
The Tigers won district impressively, led by Tiger Titans JP Garcia (43-6), unbeaten Jeremy Manibog (37-0) — both 2022 state finalists — and defending 6A state champion Rodney Trotter (50-2), in a league known for brilliant showings at the regional and state championships.
All will be favorites this weekend.
Along with Jordan’s returning state champion Garrett McChesney (43-0), who has made a powerful transition from 5A to 6A wrestling, these wrestlers are the proven standouts back for more honors.
However new talent is emerging this weekend. Cinco Ranch brings district champions Richie Walsh (43-10) at 106 pounds, Dale Box (21-9) at 113 and Jackson Herman (43-5) at 132. Katy also brings district winners Owen Vaught (43-14) at 144, Connor Timmons (46-5) at 150 and 215-pound district champ Dimitrios Katsigiannis (30-7) as serious regional threats.
Paetow’s Carlos Gonzalez (42-6) is likely to make noise at 120, and Jarra Anderson (36-2) at 285 could get a rematch against Trotter in a battle between the state’s top heavyweights.
Taylor’s Anthony Tritico (42-6) at 126, Seven Lakes powerhouse Paul Owino (42-5) at 175 and Morton Ranch’s Jaylin Urest (33-2) at 190 could make runs as well.
The boys’ regional team title has become a battle for supremacy among several Greater Houston school districts. This season Cy Ranch may be favored at the top with Cinco Ranch, Katy, Westside and Clear Lake, Lowe said.
Early action begins Friday at 9 a.m. Saturday’s semifinal action for boys and girls’ also starts at 9 a.m. The regional championship round is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Merrell Center.
Seven Lakes district champion Paul Owino controls his opponent en route to a first-period pin. He will be among many local wrestlers competing this weekend at the Region III-6A Wrestling Championships at the Merrell Center. (Photo by Terry Carter/UDPhotos)
Defending heavyweight state champion Rodney Trotter (top) may see Paetow’s Jarra Anderson again this weekend after the two combatants wrestled hard for six minutes in the district final. Trotter won, 9-5, and has handed Anderson his only two losses this season. The future looks bright for both heavyweights. (Photo by Terry Carter/UDPhotos)
