After three weeks of qualifying tournaments from Mission League to CIF Divisional’s to CIF Master’s Regional’s, four Eagle wrestlers punched their tickets to the California State Championships February 21-23. States is one of the most prestigious athletic events in California. Out of more than 900 schools and 27,000 wrestlers in the state, only 2% of wrestlers ever reach this level of competition.
It has been a record-setting year for the Chaminade’s wrestling team. Under the direction of coach Bill Wilson and assistant coach Vlad Kochiev, Chaminade qualified 12 wrestlers out of 14 weight classes for CIF tournaments in a single season. The team also qualified for the CIF Dual Championships and is ranked 21st in the state.
Through the sweat, blood, tears, and grueling tournaments here are the four remaining eagles and their weight class achievements and rankings:
Patrick Rowland ’19 has shown tremendous growth in the last four years. Introduced to wrestling at Chaminade’s middle school, Patrick (138-pounds) got serious when he entered 9th grade. This season, he is Mission League Champion, 3rd at CIF, placed 9th at CIF Masters and is currently ranked 12th in the state. Rowland will go on to wrestle for Duke University.
Erich Osteen ’19 is no stranger to the tournament circuit. Erich (220-pounds) has been wrestling since the age of six, and it’s his third time at States. He is Mission League Champion, CIF Champion, and placed 2nd at CIF Masters. Erich is currently ranked 3rd in the state and is committed to play football for UCLA next season.
Zeth Romney ’22 is at the beginning of his high school wrestling career and is showing that he is a contender with which to be reckoned. Zeth (106- pounds) is Mission League Champion, CIF Champion, and placed 3rd at CIF Masters. He is currently ranked 8th in the state.
Katja Osteen ’21 is the only girl on the Chaminade wrestling team. Like her brother, she has been wrestling from a very young age she began at only four-years-old. In 2018, Katia (160-pound) became the school’s first State Champion in wrestling. This year she is CIF Champion and Masters Champion. She is currently ranked 1st in the state.
For up to the minute State Championship coverage, follow the Chaminade Wrestling team on twitter @nadewrestling.
After a competitive and productive weekend, Chaminade’s Wrestling team, along with Boys’ Basketball, and Girls’ Basketball move on to the next round of CIF playoffs. Jake OBrien ’16 and Thomas Price ’16 both competed in the Masters Meet over the weekend. While Price lost in an elimination match 7-6, O’Brien qualified for the CIF State Championship in wrestling, which will be held in Bakersfield, starting Friday, March 4.