The Gold Standard

By: Jorge Campos

Since 2008, the Dons grapplers have been dominating matches and have become some of the most successful in California.

32 Consecutive Victories

College athletes are rarely perfect, but sophomore wrestler Juan Jaime has been flawless.

Through 32 collegiate matches, Jaime has yet to take a pin at the 133-pound weight class. Jaime started his streak as a freshman, going 24-0 and winning the state title.

Jaime went into his first career tournament recovering from a boxer’s fracture in his right hand. At the Santa Ana College City Tournament Jaime and the No. 1 AJ Valles of Fresno City College, went grappled through six overtimes before Jaime came out on top.

He hasn’t lost since.

Jaime’s 2013 campaign mirrors his performance last year. He is 8-0 after defending his SAC City crown.

“I try staying healthy and avoid anything that could cost me at this point, including staying in on weekends,” Jaime said.

5 – Individual Titles

The Dons produced five individual state champions in as many years. Sophomore Juan Jaime won topped the 133 lb division last year. In 2009 the Dons produced three state titles. Jimmy Martinez won at 125 lb, Bobby Scoefield a 141 lb and Jose Navarro dominated at 149 lb. Tyler Garcia won a state championship at 197 lb in 2008.

2- Get Stronger

The Dons won the 2009 state team championship after placing at every weight class and having three grapplers clinch individual state championships. Santa Ana College also won the California’s duals championships and won the Orange Empire Conference championship for the second year in a row.

3- High Achievers

In 2009, the Dons had three academic All-Americans. Luis Onofrio finished with a 3.03 GPA, Jose Navarro with a 3.19 GPA and Daniel Kennedy with a 3.19 GPA. Navarro and Kennedy were named to the team twice.The award is given to student athletes who excel in academics and sports.

1- Olympian

Former Don Jesse Ruiz wrestled in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, competing for Mexico. Ruiz became
the first SAC wrestler to reach the Summer Games. He competed at the 264.5 lb weight class among the game’s giants.At SAC in 2003 and 2004, Ruiz was an All-American and finished second in the state two years in a row. Ruiz continued his success at Menlo College, where he made the All American team twice.