By: Emma Barahona
Bark! Voice of the Bulldogs
Staff Writer

On Jan. fifth and sixth, Centennial High School held its annual wrestling tournament, The Bulldog Grappler. Centennial has held The Bulldog Grappler for at least 21 years. All of the tournaments, such as the Bulldog Grappler, are fundraising opportunities for the sport.
The Bulldog Grappler held 13 schools this year and welcomed Bonanza, Green Valley, Durango, Faith, Carson, Basic, Palo, Rancho, Cimarron, Western, and Desert Oasis. The Bulldog Grappler allows for the boy’s wrestling team to get more mat time to experience and learn where they excel, and where to find room for improvement.
As a team, the Centennial Bulldogs wrestling program took 3rd overall. Individually 3 wrestlers took first place and two more took second. Nicolas Egbalic’s weight class is 144 lbs, Leonardo Salzano’s weight class is 150 lbs, and Deacon Pickett’s weight class is 157 lbs placed first in their weight class. David Chapla’s weight class is 120 lbs and Gavin Austin’s is 132 lbs placed second in their weight class.
Coach Kevin Caruso said “Whether it is practice or a competition, find a way to improve each time they step on the mat. Even if it’s a small amount, getting 1% better each day, they will find that they start to pass up or catch up to the competition. I hope it’s a lesson that they carry into the classroom and future jobs. When they show up to work, when they show up to class, find a way to get better each day.”
The best part of the tournament from the coaches’ perspective is seeing the amount of enjoyment that the wrestlers experience being able to compete in their home gymnasium. Centennial owes a big thanks to Coach Caruso and Coach Eve for making this a great tournament for all athletes involved.