Dons targeting title

WRESTLING PREVIEW & ATHLETIC PROFILE:

Carlos Arana and the Santa Ana wrestling team prepare for another successful season under Head Coach Vince Silva.

AGE: 19
HEIGHT: 6’2″
WEIGHT: 165 LB

TRAINING MENTALITY: “To me, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love it! I look good, I feel good. You have to be here wanting to get better.”

REWARD: State title and Southwest Conference Championships

16: HOURS TRAINING PER DAY:

Carlos Arana is eager to begin his third season in a SAC singlet and is setting his sights on a state title after placing seventh in the 184-pound weight class at last
year’s state tournament.

This season, Arana is at a weight class where he can be strong.

“Arana is a different animal today, now that he is at 165-pound weight class, and with another year under his belt we are hoping that he can bring home a state title,” Silva said.

Arana, who wakes up each morning for a 3-mile morning run, says that it is important to build one’s self up and improve every day to reach the top level, and become an elite wrestler. When asked about the state title Arana said that nothing would get in his way.

“I am coming for that state title. There is too much on the line, and that’s all I want,” Arana said.

7: PREPARATION

The Dons have been hard at work in the wrestling room and on the track. The team runs sprints three days a week, goes out for 3-mile runs each week and does lifting twice a week.

“Let’s go to the track and let’s sprint real hard until there is enough pain to block out the doubt,” Head Coach Vince Silva said to the team.

8: TEAM GOALS

Led by Carlos Arana and Sergio Sanchez, the team has been working throughout spring and summer to build upon last season’s success.

“Sergio is in great shape. He is in the best shape of his life right now,” Silva said.

The Dons face a tough task with teams around the state becoming more competitive each year.

9: LAST SEASON

The Dons finished 12-4 last year. They split the Conference going 2-2 after suffering a close loss to Palomar 21-19 and a lopsided loss to Cerritos 31-12. The season ended with an eighth place finish at the state tournament.

“The biggest thing is getting guys to commit to a two-or-three-year program so we can break bad habits,” Silva said.

10: SEASON OUTLOOK

The team looks to find rising stars to replace the third-year veterans like Carlos Arana.

“After the first match I’ll have an idea of who can perform under the lights,”
Silva said.

It is still early in the season, leaving room for wrestlers to prove themselves and claim a spot on the starting lineup.

“I’m excited; we’ve got kind of a young group. We’re not rebuilding, but we’ve got new faces,” Silva said.

CERRITOS vs. SAC
GAME DATE: September 22, 2012.

The Dons begin their 2012 season Saturday at the Mt. SAC Duals. The team will face tough competition on the mat against Southwest Conference rivals Cerritos and Rio Hondo along with other teams from across the state. The Dons host an all-day tournament on Oct. 6 and will go against Cerritos College on Oct. 31 for the first home dual.

“Cerritos is so tough every year, but we always hang right in there with them,” Head Coach Vince Silva said.

The dual will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Bill Cook Gymnasium. The price of Admission is $5 but is free with a student ID.