This past Saturday, the Albany High Cougars wrestling team took first in the North Coast Section Dual Meet tournament, the first time in Albany High’s history. With wins over the Dougherty Valley Wildcats and the Campolindo Cougars, the Cougars came down to the very last match against the defending NCS Division II Dual Meet Champions, the Las Lomas Knights.
Starting the dual meet at the 145-pound weight class, the Cougars lead the dual meet with wins from seniors Elijah Sudduth and Daniel Larman. The Knights took the lead with five straight wins. With a pin in the third period of the 220-pound match, Senior Tsering Wangchuk, slimmed the Las Lomas’ lead to 17-15.
The Cougars went on a roll with wins from seniors Carlo Spampinato and Trevor San Agustin and junior Jesse Chua. Sophomore Calvin Bernard’s loss put the Knights ahead by one point, 29-28.
With numerous blood timeouts and tape jobs, senior Athos Costa battled his opponent in the 132- pound match, putting the Cougars back on top, 31-29.
Down to the last match it was all up to senior Salman Zaman to determine whether the Cougars would take the victory.
“I was definitely nervous going into it, but with Athos’s three-round battle, I was put into the right mindset to compete. With the roaring support of my coaches and teammates, I was able to keep focus on my match,” said Zaman.
He dominated his opponent in the first period, giving him a quick lead, 7-0. Less than halfway through the second period, Salman put his opponent on his back and secured the Cougars’ first ever NCS Division 2 Dual Meet Championship in Albany High School’s history.
“It was the most exciting dual meet I’ve ever seen and the highlight of my wrestling career,” commented senior captain Daniel Larman.
This momentum will help carry the Cougars to the BSAL league tournament this Friday hosted at John Swett.
Great article and great photos. Go Cougars!