8 SPORTS
Boys Wrestling
Boys wrestling is starting off the season strong, as our varsity
team won first overall at the Carter High School Dual. The team is
once again coached by Anthony Mantanona, an alumna of PDHS
and one of the founders of Coachella Valley Brazilian Ju-jitsu
(CVBJJ), a prominent wrestling club in the valley. Coach
Mantanona’s goal with this year’s team is to become state
champions and make it to CIF yet again. Making it to league finals
last year raises high expectations this year, meaning that training is
now even more intense, creating an even more competitive team.
With select wrestlers at all 16 weight classes, PDHS has a full team
this year for Varsity and JV. Our team is led by senior Daegen
Griego this year and also features three freshmen who have
wrestled hard for their spots on varsity, Beau Mantanona, Ethan
Guillermo and Erik McCown. This team shows great potential, as
many of them have had previous experience in the competitive
sport; six of the wrestlers have been nationally ranked. At least 19
wrestlers are returning ready for another season, and the team is
eager to learn more techniques of the sport. “[We have] so much
potential,” freshman Ethan Guillermo mentions. “Beau ranked
worldwide, and the experienced guys have been wrestling for more
than four years. They have been traveling for wrestling and have
wrestled in Vegas, State, and Nationals.” Coach Anthony would
like more people to get excited about the sport, as wrestling takes
hard work, requiring both mental and physical strength.
AWAY MATCH: Wednesday, January 8th at 6:30 vs. Rancho
Camren Guillermo, Editor-in-Chief
Boys Basketball
This year’s boys basketball season kicked off with a weeklong
trip to Maui; an experience they agree was an unforgettable time
of playing hard and growing closer. Senior Dylan Duthaler
explains that “the bond you make with your teammates is the best
part of being on the team.” This season consists of a competitive
league all around, but the Palm Desert boys are unfazed since they
trust in their teammates and coaches, who Duthaler says are “great
mentors who we really look up to.” For the boys, the biggest
obstacle this year will be their height disadvantage, as their average
height is rather short relative to the other basketball teams in the
desert. However, Dylan expresses that “what is more important
than height is our hearts,” and he believes our team has a passion
for the game that is incomparable to the other schools in the
valley. The seniors this year are not worried about how the team
will fair after their graduation because the team consists of mostly
juniors who are ready to take up the responsibilities next year.
HOME GAME: Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30 vs. Xavier
Charlotte Bija Deputy Editor