Corona del Mar High School Boys' Wrestling Team Has Best Season in School History

By: Kym Whitney

In February, the boys' high school wrestling season concluded, with Corona del Mar placing fourth overall and Newport Harbor placing sixth in the CIF team standings. 

 Corona del Mar junior Zion Hernandez was crowned CIF champion at 160 pounds with a 7-4 decision over Oak Hills senior Dylan Bentz. This was the fourth CIF championship in school history. The last CIF champion was Steven Russell in 2002. The boys' wrestling program had seven Masters qualifiers, including 160-pound champion Zion Hernandez. Antonio Aramburu (152) and Eugenio Franco (195) were also finalists.

 Zion's season record was 41-12 with 26 pins. Last year, he was 29-13 with 17 pins. Coach Mark noted that his competition this year was much more difficult. Nevertheless, Zion claimed league champion at 160 lbs, CIF Champion, 5th place at the CIF Masters Championship, and a State Qualifier. Note: only the top 40 wrestlers in each weight class qualify for State.

 Zion trains with his high school and club teams, which Coach Mark states is a significant reason for his improvement. He is also a very hard worker, always striving to get better. 

 While Zion had a terrific individual season, the Corona del Mar boys' wrestling team as a whole had their best season ever, finishing the year with a 15-3 record and finishing as the 3rd best wrestling team in Orange County, and #21 in State.

Additional boys' championships this season included: 

 In league championships: CDM 2nd, NH 3rd

in CIF championships: CDM 4th, NH 6th

in Masters championship: CDM 10th, NH 60th

in State championships: CDM 21st, NH did not qualify