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January 22, 2016 Desert Wings 11
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Wrestling team competes for another season

by Rebecca Amber
Staff writer

Working and living on a military base, the people that Air Force photograph by Rebecca Amber Air Force photograph by Rebecca Amber
make up the Edwards populace are no strangers to the fre-
quent moving that accompanies military life. The Desert High Scorpions varsity wrestling team is able to The Desert High Scorpions varsity wrestling team prepares
compete for another year thanks to the volunteer efforts of IRUWKHLUOHDJXH¿QDOV-DQ3UDFWLFHVDUHKHOGLQWKH
The Desert High Scorpions varsity wrestling team found this year’s six coaches. Center of Excellence.
themselves in a pickle when their coaches received orders
for a permanent change of station. “It’s not the success that makes you who you are, it’s about Lorenzo is a third year wrestler with hopes to wrestle in
your desire to succeed which will eventually lead to success,” college.
Two months into the season, the wrestling team is still he said.
able to compete because six service members from the Air “I love being a part of it. We’ve got a lot of new kids and
Force and U.S. Marine Corps volunteered to take over the This year’s team is more than half freshmen, with 11 boys I feel like the coaches have really built up the program from
coaching responsibilities. and one girl. day one. You’ve got to give it all to them, because without
these guys coming out here, we wouldn’t even have a pro-
Head coach, Lance Cpl. Brandon Masoni, VMX-22, is Azilre Santos, grade 12, is the team’s female wrestler. She gram.”
working with the team daily. He offers two hours of prac- competes in the 103-pound weight class though she’s only
tice after school Monday through Friday with an additional 92 pounds. Masoni says that in spite of her 10-pound weight The wrestling team is one of the unfunded sports programs
optional hour available to anyone who wants to use it. Since difference, she “doesn’t give up.” at Desert High School. Instead of letting the program die
the start of the season, almost every Saturday has been spent when funding was cut several years ago, the parents formed
DWWRXUQDPHQWV+LVDVVLVWDQWFRDFKHV¿OOLQZKHUHWKH\FDQ On the weekend of Jan. 23, she will have the opportunity a booster club and started fundraising efforts and recruiting
according to their work schedules. to compete in an all-female tournament. sponsors.

The other coaches are Senior Airman Erik Gilbertson, Santos joined the team last year because her father had Booster club president, Elvin Colindres, said the program
412th Security Forces Squadron; Senior Airman Brandon taught her how to box and wrestling was the closest thing FRVWVDURXQGD\HDUZLWKWKHELJJHVWH[SHQVHVEHLQJ
5RJHUVVW7HVWDQG(YDOXDWLRQ6TXDGURQ3IF$GDP3HQG- to that at Desert High. In the beginning she felt at little in- tournament fees and transportation.
leton and Lance Cpl. Ryan Salazar, VMX-22; and Staff Sgt. timidated, but after getting to know the team, she found that
Eli Rodriguez, 912th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “they’re really cool.” “There are very few things in life that are better than when
you recognize all the hard work that you put in, all the sac-
³7KLVLVP\¿UVW\HDUFRDFKLQJVRFRPLQJLQWRLW,KDGQR “It does get hard, but I just love the sport,” said Santos. rifice you put in pay off,” said Masoni. “When they win
idea who any of these kids were, but getting into it I got to Lorenzo Brino, grade 11 “probably has the best record matches, and in the end they come out on top because of all
know them pretty quickly,” said Masoni. “Overall, they all right now” with more than 20 wins this season according the hard work they’ve done — they love it and you can see
will leave everything on the mat. They will all try their 100 to his coach. it even if they try to hide it.”
percent and that’s all I ask for.” “He’s very intense, he has a lot of heart and he does not
give up,” recognized Masoni.
7KHWHDPLVFXUUHQWO\SUHSDULQJIRUWKHOHDJXH¿QDOV-DQ
30.

So far, the season has gone well for the Scorpions with
wrestlers placing at almost every tournament. Since the team
is freelance, they have to participate in a minimum of 20
PDWFKHVWRTXDOLI\IRUSDUWLFLSDWLRQLQWKHOHDJXH¿QDOV

“If they don’t make weight for a tournament, they might
not make match count,” said Masoni explaining that the team
constantly has to be working towards their goals.

As an experienced wrestler himself, Masoni believes that
technique is one of the easiest things to teach his team. The
reason he chose to coach was not even to teach wrestling, it
was to teach them how to “put out their full effort.”

Announcements

Airman and Family Readiness phone number and total number of hours to other Saturday, 1 p.m., call 661-275-ARTS ship Appreciation Month! This February, Air
alfonso.laxamana@us.af.mil by Feb. 12. IRUGDWHV7KLVFODVVLVIUHH3DUWLFLSDQWVZLOO Force Clubs will randomly select 10 members
90 Farrell Drive, Bldg.5620, 661-277-0723 learn the safety basics of common wood- GDLO\WRUHFHLYHHLWKHUD)66*LIW&DUGRU
Volunteer Registration: All volunteers working equipment. Once you complete the FDVK$QGRQ)HERQHOXFN\FOXE
Women’s, Infants’ & Children’s Clinic: ZLWK(GZDUGV¶$)%RI¿FLDORUJDQL]DWLRQV class you can use the full range of equipment member will be able to literally “Leap into a
Jan. 25, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.., closed for lunch XQLWVQHHGWRUHJLVWHUZLWKWKH$ )5&9RO- LQRXU:RRG+REE\6KRSIRUMXVWSHUKRXU Jeep®” while two other club members will
noon-1 p.m. Open for both walk-ins and ap- unteer Coordinator, Al Laxamana at 661-277- HDFKUHFHLYH&OXEPHPEHUVGRQ¶W
pointments. For an appointment or voucher 2972. Organizations or agencies that need Basic Vehicle Maintenance Class: Satur- have to do anything to enter. Simply being a
information, call 1-866-327-3074 toll free. volunteers and folks looking for volunteer GD\VDP&RVWLVSHUSHUVRQ3DU- member as Jan. 25, 2016, makes you eligible
RSSRUWXQLWLHV PD\ DOVR FRQWDFW$LUPHQ ticipants will learn the basics of good vehicle for prizes! Not a Club member? For more
Pre-Separation Counseling: Feb. 3, 8:30- Family Readiness to be included on a dis- maintenance. Learn how to operate a lift, details visit http://www.myairforcelife.com/
DP7KLVLVDSUHUHTXLVLWHIRUWKH¿YHGD\ tribution list. change your oil, and check and balance your membershiprewards/
7UDQVLWLRQ$VVLVWDQFH3URJUDP6SRXVHVDUH tires. Call the Auto Hobby Shop at 661-275-
highly encouraged to attend. Arts and Crafts Center/Auto AUTO (2887) for more information. Club Muroc Renovation: Due to kitchen
Hobby renovation a limited menu will be served in
Newcomers’ Orientation: Feb. 4, 7:40 :H¶UHORRNLQJIRUDQ$XWRPRWLYH'HWDLOHU Fogelman’s for lunch and dinner through Feb.
a.m.-2 p.m. Required for all active duty 200 Methusa Rd., 661-275-ARTS/661- The Edwards AFB Car Wash is looking for an 8. Bar hours of operations and service will
members and provides vital information 275-AUTO automotive detailer. continue uninterrupted for Fogelman’s and
regarding base resources and services, poli- 3DQFKR¶V
cies procedures, recreation opportunities and Instructors Needed: Attention all artists Smog Testing: Edwards Auto Hobby per-
more. Spouses are welcome and encouraged and crafters! If you’re creative, we need you! forms smog checks 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday- The following events will continue
to attend. 7KH$UWV &UDIWV&HQWHULVVHHNLQJRXWLQ- Friday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday. Call throughout renovation:
structors of all types. Come and share your ahead to see what times are available.
Team Edwards Annual Volunteer Rec- creative knowledge with a diverse group of Kids Klub; Third Wednesday of each
ognition Hours: 7KH$LUPDQ )DPLO\ students looking for painting, drawing, pho- Towing Service Available: Towing service month, 5-7 p.m.
Readiness Center is preparing for the annual tography, scrapbooking and other craft/art is available through 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-
Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony in April related instruction. No prior instructor expe- )ULGD\IRUSHUPLOHFKDUJHSDVWDQ\ All Ranks Trivia: Every Thursday, 6 p.m.
that celebrates all the volunteers on Edwards rience necessary — if you are knowledgeable of the gates. For more information, call 661- Wine Tasting: Third Friday of each month,
Air Force Base and their service from Jan. then we are looking for you! Contact the Arts 275-AUTO. 5-7 p.m.
1 through Dec. 31, 2015. We are asking all &UDIWV&HQWHUDW$576IRU TGIF: First Friday, Feb. 5, 4-6 p.m.
agencies/organizations/units who use vol- more information. Club Muroc )RRWEDOO)UHQ]\ to include Super Bowl
unteers and those who have employees that
volunteer somewhere on Edwards AFB to Wood Safety Orientation Class: Every 275 Doolittle Parkway, 661-275-CLUB See ANNOUNCEMENTS, Page 12
submit their volunteer names, contact email/
Leep into a Jeep: February is Member-