Photograph by Robert Scheer
Fremont's Vi Hang battles for a 10-4 victory at 112 pounds, but the Firebirds lost a 41-27 decision to league champion Cupertino.
By DICK SPARRER
Alberto Luvian has had quite a season for the Fremont wrestling team.
But as far as the Fremont 275-pounder is concerned, it's just beginning.
Because this is the week when things start heating up for high school wrestlers throughout the area. The dual match season is over, and the road to the state tournament begins.
Wrestlers will compete in league finals this week with their sights set on the Central Coast Section and state tournaments.
Luvian is certainly no different. The local star will lead his Fremont teammates into the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League finals at Cupertino on Feb. 15. The top placers there advance to the CCS finals on Feb. 21-22 at Santa Clara, and from there it's on to the state tournament at the University of the Pacific in Stockton for the top qualifiers.
Luvian is a top prospect for a state berth, but it all starts Saturday at the league tournament in Cupertino when the second season begins.
The first season, the dual match season, ended last week for Luvian and the Firebirds. Fremont lost a 41-27 decision to league champion Cupertino to finish the De Anza Division season with a 1-4 record.
It was an easy match for Luvian, who claimed a forfeit win at 275 pounds. But four other Firebirds fought their way to victories on the mat.
Jason Piamonte lost an 8-7 heartbreaker at 103 pounds for Fremont, but Vi Hang tied the match 3-3 with a 10-4 victory at 112 pounds.
Cupertino came back with a string of eight victories, though, to cruise to the team win.
Buddy Cabrera snapped the string of Cupertino wins when he won by injury default at 171 pounds.
Donny Mozzetti and Joseph Ramirez backed up that win with pins in the next two bouts. Mozzetti won by fall 29 seconds into the second round at 189 pounds and Ramirez pinned with 45 seconds remaining in the second round at 215.
Luvian's forfeit win wrapped up the day for the Firebirds.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, February 12, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.