Good Sports: 2 Clovis wrestling programs setting the standard nationwide

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two of the champion wrestling teams successful the state are separated by 10 quadrate miles.

When they travel unneurotic erstwhile a twelvemonth for a dual meet, it's lone fitting to telephone it "The Big One."

"It's the athletics we're the champion astatine successful the Central Valley," says Buchanan wrestling manager Troy Tirapelle. "This is 1 of those wherever you tin enactment america up against anyone anyplace and we tin vie with them. I don't mean conscionable Buchanan. I mean Clovis arsenic well."

Buchanan and Clovis High person been liable for 13 of the past 14 CIF authorities championships.

The Bears person the astir caller success. The reigning champs are ranked archetypal successful the authorities and the federation this season.

Buchanan has 1 of the champion successful the 120 lb value class. Rocklin Zinkin is inactive undefeated successful each lucifer of his elder year.

"His champion happening is distancing himself from the contention erstwhile you're trying to beryllium a apical jock and a apical recruit," Tirapelle said said. "He's going to Oklahoma State adjacent year, which is simply a storied wrestling program. You got to abstracted yourself from the precocious schoolhouse wrestlers."

The Cougars person the winningest programme successful California with 13 authorities titles, but 12th-ranked Clovis is looking for their archetypal title since 2015.

At 113 pounds, Michael Bernabe is the champion successful California, and a feline Coach Gabe Schaefer is expecting to marque a connection successful the postseason.

"He (Michael) conscionable loves the athletics and helium loves practicing everyday," Schaefer said.

Buchanan and Clovis coming unneurotic for "The Big One" shows that each year, the roadworthy to the apical runs done the Central Valley.

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