By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY

Senior Writer

The individual league championship wrestling matches, hosted by Rim of the World High School on Friday, Feb. 3, lured nearly 300 boy and girl wrestlers from 11 Inland Empire high schools, along with over 100 parents and interested spectators to the school.

The individual league matches, which kicked off at 2 p.m., after school ended for the day, included teams from both the Sunkist League, of which Rim is a member, and the San Andreas League. Other high schools in the Sunset League included San Gorgonio High School, Colton High School, Carter High from Rialto and Bloomington High School. San Andreas League schools included San Andreas High School, Eisenhower High School, also from Rialto, Aquinas High School from Highland, Fontana High School, Grand Terrace High School and Riverside’s Notre Dame High School.

Early on in the matches, which lasted until 6:30 p.m., favored wrestler 140-pound Vandal Loya lost his first match against a Fontana High wrestler. However, Vandal persisted and ended up a winner in the latter half of the match by defeating his Colton High School opponent.

“This is my first year on the team and it feels good to win,” Vandal said. “I love it so far. Coach Joey is great at teaching us the rules and how to have the right disposition.” He added he plans to wrestle when he gets to college. “Vandal never gives up, even when he’s losing,” said Dorsey.

The Loya brothers are obviously a force to be reckoned with. Vandal’s older brother, 160-pound junior Roman Loya, easily conquered his San Gorgonio High School opponent, who, according to Coach Dorsey, is ranked 28th in California. Asked what he attributes his continued success in wrestling to, Roman said, “All of the coaches have helped me get better and to never give up.”

Another force to be reckoned with is 113-pound sophomore Jed Jackson, who triumphed over his Carter High School opponent to capture the Sunkist League championship. Some have said that Jed, who has consistently triumphed over his opponents, both last year and this year, is following in the footsteps of Rim High School’s legendary three-time state champion (1991, 1992 and 1993) and 1993 national champion Scott Chapman.

When was asked whether he might wrestle at the college level, Jed said, “If I continue, I may be able to get an academic or sports scholarship for college.”

Rim sophomore Millie Thompson, a 15-year-old second-season wrestler from Crestline, who took home a first-place trophy in last month’s league championship tournament, racked up another win last Friday against her Yucca Valley High School opponent. When asked what inspired her to become a wrestler, Millie commented, “I came from martial arts, so I figured why not try wrestling.”

Out of 23 Rim High wrestlers who participated in last week’s league championship tournament, 10 finished in first place. Other Rim wrestlers who excelled in their performances at last week’s tournament include first -time winners Justice Stewart, Cody South, Alex Martinez, James Gronley, Devin Huff and Nathan Scotti.

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PHOTOS:

With what appears to be promising future in wrestling, 15-year-old Jed Jackson captured the Sunkist League champoionship at last Friday’s league final. (Photos by Douglas W. Motley)

Rim freshman Vandal Loya defeated his Colton High School opponent.

Rim junior Roman Loya easily conquered his opponent from San Gorgonio High School, who is ranked 28th in California.

Rim sophomore Millie Thompson from Crestline racked up her second wrestling victory this year by beating her opponent from Yucca Valley High School.

Rim wrestling team members are proud of their numerous victories at last Friday’s league championship tournament.

Rim High School head wrestling coach Joey Dorsey gets a post-game lift.