BELLFLOWER — The St. John Bosco boys wrestling team won back-to-back CIF-Southern Section Dual Championships Wednesday night, scoring 24 straight points, which swung the momentum and the scoreboard the Braves’ way against Calvary Chapel for a 45-22 victory.
Bosco senior Grigor Cholakyan’s quick pin in less than 30 seconds sent the home team off victorious in the final match in the 157-pound weight class of the Open Division dual meet championship. In 2023, Bosco won the CIF-SS Division 1 championship.
“I really wanted to go out there and make a statement,” said Cholakyan, who signed a National Letter of Intent with Stanford in November and has a 34-1 record this season.
Calvary Chapel forfeited the first match in the 165-pound weight class to Bosco’s Joseph Antonio but won three straight with Dylan Trevino (175), Max McWilliams (190) and Logan Trevino (215), which gave the Eagles a 16-6 lead.
Bosco junior Nicholas Sahakian’s quick pin earned a crucial six points, cutting Calvary Chapel’s lead to 16-12 after five matches.
“It definitely boosts your confidence because you have to know that you’re the boss,” said Sahakian, a self-proclaimed athletic wrestler in the 285-pound weight class. “You have to know that you’re good. If you believe in yourself, you can do anything. I truly believe that. Some kids out there doubting themselves, they’re going to go out there and lose, you have to know you’re going to win. If you think you’re going to win, you know you’re going to win.”
St. John Bosco junior wrestler Nicholas Sahakian on his quick pin in the 285 pound weight class vs. Calvary Chapel in the @CIFSS Open Division Dual Meet Championships.
Sahakian shared why it’s important to always believe you are going to win. pic.twitter.com/BfieVH6TsV
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) February 1, 2024
Massimo Ortiz won a triple-overtime match that pushed Calvary Chapel’s lead to 19-12.
However, the Braves’ confidence never wavered.
“I didn’t lose confidence that we were going to win at all because I know the capability that our lightweights hold and they’re all studs,” Cholakyan continued.
The No. 1-seeded Braves responded by winning five straight matches, beginning with sophomore Sean Willcox’s win at 113.
No. 6-seeded Calvary Chapel forfeited at 120 to Bosco’s Nathan Carrillo. Michael Romero (126), Jesse Grajeda (132), and Sergio Gomez (138) won their matches, pushing Bosco’s lead to 36-19 with three matches to go.
“The swing in the momentum was critical,” Bosco wrestling coach Jeff Anderson said. “We knew we’re going to start at the toughest part of their lineup. They did a good move not wrestling against Joseph Antonio in the very first match and kind of set us off on the wrong foot… The string of wins really pushed us over the edge and I knew we could get it done at that point, but hats off to Calvary Chapel, they came to wrestle.”
St. John Bosco wrestling coach Jeff Anderson on @SJBwrestling’s 2024 CIF Southern Section Open Division Championship. Bosco won 45-22 against Calvary Chapel Wednesday night. pic.twitter.com/aOHSkuQNfU
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) February 1, 2024
Calvary Chapel junior Niko Valenzuela broke his team’s scoring drought at 144 against Bosco sophomore Tigan Greyan, which made it 36-22.
“We’ve been working pretty hard from the beginning of the season, we’ve been pushing very hard and I think that it showed (Wednesday night), even though we lost,” Valenzuela said. “Last time we dueled them it wasn’t like this and we did much better and I think we are going to continue to do great.”
Calvary Chapel wrestling junior Niko Valenzuela on his team’s run to the CIF Southern Section Open Division Finals as the No. 6 seed. Valenzuela, who won at 144, wants this momentum to last all the way to the CIF State Meet in Bakersfield. pic.twitter.com/zcmFcfOxuS
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) February 1, 2024
Bosco’s Yazir Tellez’s victory at 150 pounds made it 39-22. Cholakyan’s quick pin in 25 seconds in the 157-pound dual capped Bosco’s 45-22 victory.
“This gives us all confidence knowing that we’re starting off (the postseason) with a championship,” Cholakyan explained.
Bosco and Calvary Chapel wrestlers will participate in the CIF-SS individual championships on Feb. 9-10. CIF Masters Meet will be held on Feb. 16-17. The CIF State Meet will be held Feb. 22-24 at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.
“I’m looking to go to state and placing at state and maybe winning it,” Valenzuela said. “That’s my dream.”
“I look forward to just grinding this season out, just finishing on top,” Cholakyan said. “That’s my goal.”
St. John Bosco senior wrestler Grigor Cholakyan (Stanford signee) on @SJBwrestling winning back to back @cifss team dual meet titles. The 157 pound wrestler got a quick pin in about 25 seconds vs. Calvary Chapel. Cholakyan’s goal is to win the state championship. pic.twitter.com/8AwJNWKhvk
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) February 1, 2024
