Wrestling:
When Larry Cutbirth took over the head coaching duties 20 years ago, none of his wrestlers had even been born.
Fast forward two decades and Cutbirth, his staff and their athletes have delivered Etiwanda its first CIF-SS team dual championship.
The Eagles defeated Chaminade, 39-33, in the Division 3 title match in West Hills.
In the semifinal round last Saturday, Etiwanda knocked off top-seeded Trabuco Hills (39-33).
On Monday evening, the Eagles traveled 70 miles, and headed back to Rancho Cucamonga having defeated the No. 2 seed by the same exact score.
The finals dual started at 152 pounds and Etiwanda got wins at 152 (Maddox Lozano), 170 (Isaac Pena, decision), 220 (Moses Vaitai, pin), 285 (Galen Brown, pin)
113 (Ryan Khan, pin), 126 (Jacob Bell, pin) and 145-pound Evan Manzo.
In 2022-23, Etiwanda also claimed its third consecutive Baseline League team title.
Quotable:
Etiwanda coach, Larry Cutbirth: “I’m so proud of my wrestlers and coaches for all the hard work we put in order to accomplish a CIF dual championship. We can enjoy it tonight, but tomorrow we’re getting back to work for Saturday’s Baseline League finals at Damien High School.”
Etiwanda 113-pound, Ryan Khan: “At the beginning of the season, we realized we were contenders, because we put in so much work in the offseason. We knew we wanted it more than other teams. I want to thank our coaches, especially JJ Everard, who got us stronger with daily lift sessions in the summer. After lift sessions, we worked on technique to get the best of both worlds. Every dual, we came in with so much energy. We go to away duals and try to make it our house. Even if you lose a match on this team, you’re sad for 10 seconds and then go back and rooting for our guys. This means more than any match I’ve ever wrestled. We are the first CIF wrestling team dual champions in Etiwanda history. I want to thank Coach Smith, Cut, JJ and Rubi for all they did to make this possible. I like a saying my dad shared with me. ‘There are two types of people in this world. People who think they can and people who think they can’t. And they’re both right.'”
Etiwanda’s Path to a CIF-SS Division 3 Championship:
First: Etiwanda 72, Patriot 6
Qtrs: Etiwanda 60, Buena 12
Semi: Etiwanda 39, Trabuco Hills 33
Champ: Etiwanda 39, Chaminade 33
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