Two local scholastic wrestling teams have battled hard despite not pinning down winning records. At La Jolla High, head coach Ryan Lennard’s team has had a tough season this year, never being able to fill a full lineup for dual meets.   “We had huge potential this season, but multiple injuries led to an inconsistent lineup,” Lennard remarked. “We went 1-5 in dual meet competition this year, giving up an average of 18 points in forfeits every dual. It is always very frustrating knowing that you will be starting out with a huge points deficit to overcome. We always fare well in the matches we do wrestle, often winning more matches than we lose.” La Jolla competed last weekend in the City League Tournament, the first tournament this season where the Vikings had all of its varsity athletes competing. “It is proof that when we are at full strength, we can do well, as we finished seventh overall in team standings and beat every Western League school that we lost to in dual meets,” Lennard noted. La Jolla sent four wrestlers to the semifinals, advancing two to the finals. Semifinalists included junior Joey Bruder (140 lbs.), senior Jordan Dyer (152 lbs.), senior Diego Alayza (160 lbs.) and junior David Blasquez (heavyweight). Dyer and Alayza wrestled very well, both scoring second period pins in the semis. Dyer (Western League champion) went on to win the tournament with a major decision in the finals, while Alayza fell in his finals match. In action this coming weekend, La Jolla will be sending its varsity lineup to compete in the CIF Division IV Tournament in Brawley. The top four wrestlers advance to the Masters Tournament the following Friday and Saturday at Olympian High School. At University City High, head coach Jeret Needham and the Centurions finished with a 2-3 record in the Western League, good for fourth place. According to Needham, key wrestlers have included senior captains Anthony Esquivel (24-8), Victor Em (sixth place in City) and Dylan Ebersole (22-11).   “These captains have led by example, both on the mat and in the classroom,” Needham said. “Victor Em, with a cumulative GPA of 4.67, has helped tutor younger teammates and will be attending the college of his choice. Anthony Esquivel has been our top wrestler for two years now, placing at every tournament. He also has excelled in the classroom with a GPA of 3.67. Dylan Ebersole is our hardest-working wrest-ler and it has paid off — he was undefeated league champ this season.” This Saturday the Centurions travel to Valhalla High School for the Division III CIF championships. The top six placers advance to Masters the following week. University City’s Centurions Kids Club is in its third year with students participating from Standley, Curie and Spreckels. Eighth-graders Josh Charles, David (Kaleb) Morris and Mark (Gabe) Goldberg have been wrestling great, placing at many tournaments, according to Needham. “They will be a fine addition to the high school team next year,” Needham added. In March, UC will be traveling to Fresno for the Frosh/Soph/Kids State Championship. This April, UC’s Junior Centurions will be competing in the World Championships in Reno for the first time. UC’s Kids Club is currently ranked second in the county to Poway. “I’d like to thank the administration at UC for all the support,” Needham added.