For the past two years Pitman High’s wrestling team’s ambition of becoming league champions has been thwarted by Golden Valley High.  In 2010, the Pride finished second in the Central California Conference as the Cougars took home the title. Last year, Pitman and Turlock finished the season with a tie as Golden Valley once again ended their season as champions. This season, with the return of head coach Chris Wolfley, Pitman looks to a young, but experienced team to bring home the league championship

“They look young; they look good,” Wolfley said. “We don’t have the senior group that we did last year. But we have kids that have spent a lot of years in the prep and youth wrestling.”

As with any wrestling team Pitman’s success will hinge on the dedication and hard work of its wrestlers, as well as the guidance and motivation of its coaches. Thankfully for the Pride, it seems they have those bases covered, with a coaching staff of state medalists and a room full of hungry returners.

“When you have hard workers in the room it shows in the match. The hard workers groom the other kids,” Wolfley said.

Among the hard working returners Wolfley is depending on are Kyle Martinez, Drew Lewis and Mark Bennet.

“We want to push those higher level teams in our conference like Golden Valley to try and challenge them for a league title,” Wolfley said. “And we always want to compete with our cross town rival Turlock. Obviously, they have a world of tradition there and it’s always important for us to wrestle well.”

Before the Pride get a crack at Turlock or Golden Valley they will get a chance to test their new team Dec. 14 at George Washington High School in San Francisco for the Golden Gate Invitational Tournament.

“I think we will be good,” Wolfley said. “We had a lot of tournament experience last year.”

To contact Frankie Tovar, e-mail ftovar@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.