Tigers honor their coach and take another step toward WYL championship

For the record, the Tigers continued their march to yet another league championship, quickly getting past visiting Golden West High School 48-24. Last week the Tigers defeated their long-time nemesis Redwood 38-30 and are currently 2-0 in the WYL.

Marcio Botelho accepts congratulations from former standouts (Left to right) Adrian Marrufo and Angel Robles.

Bill Burris, Lemooresports.com

The Tigers are spending the weekend at the Morro Bay Tournament before returning on Jan. 24 for a WYL match against Mt. Whitney in Visalia.

The win kept them atop the WYL standings, and at 2-0 the Tigers are marching to an unprecedented 22nd league title in the last 24 years, and the man honored has been a big part of that success – as a wrestler and a coach.

 Marcio Botelho, Lemoore’s head coach, was surprised Wednesday night when his players, fans, and coaches honored him as he begins his 10th year of coaching at Lemoore High School. The talented and outgoing coach won a state title during his years as a Tiger wrestler and then returned about 10 years go to nurture and watch several of his pupils win the top prize.

“Yes, I was very surprised,” said the former Tiger and longtime coach. “I don’t like to be recognized for something I love and enjoy doing. I appreciate my coaching staff, especially Armando Calderon for taking the time out to put this together.”

Calderon and Chuck Riddle have been with Botelho since the beginning. “They have been by my side since the beginning. “I’ve been blessed to have a great coaching staff and a great district behind me. Without their support, I couldn’t do what I do for our student-athletes.”

There were several of his proteges on hand to congratulate their long-time coach, including several former champs. Botelho managed to coach a few, including three-time winner Isaiah Martinez (and a two-time NCAA champion), two-time state finalist Brandon Rocha, state champ Nicholas Sierra, state finalist Sean Williams, and last year’s state champ Gary Joint, now wrestling at Fresno State.

“The relationships I have with my wrestlers are lifetime relationships. They aren’t just wrestlers; they are family.”

Botelho was awarded a plaque by his college wrestling coach Dennis DeLiddo, the longtime former coach at Fresno State.

As far as wrestling results Lemoore got pins from Wayne Joint at 120 pounds and Jose Romero (145). John Panduro, at 182 pounds won a 10-1 victory, and Mario Nieto (195) pinned his opponent.

Other victors included Lemoore senior Jacob Gonsalves, pinning his opponent and Mateo Brewer, who at 285 pounds won 5-3 with a last-second takedown.