HIGH SCHOOLS
Wrestling Is a True Brotherhood Here
Temecula Valley has built a powerhouse program on a foundation of family ties. Twelve of 14 starters are siblings of current or former Golden Bears.
By Peter Yoon, Times Staff Writer
For most young boys who have brothers, horseplay wrestling with siblings can be a fun way to pass the time. But its appeal normally fizzles sometime around the dawn of adolescence.
Not so at Temecula Valley High, where wrestling has become quite a family affair.
Senior Cory Beeson, for example, often takes on his brothers in the garage at the family home, where they have a wrestling mat.
Before senior Kip Bowman’s brother Jay graduated, it wasn’t unusual to find the two of them taking down their father in the living room.
Of the 14 varsity starters at Temecula Valley, 12 either have brothers in the school’s wrestling program or had older brothers already pass through.
A family atmosphere is nothing new at Temecula Valley ” a tradition dictates that each wrestler dyes his hair blond to promote team unity ” but this year the family ties are literal.
They’ve also translated into success. Temecula Valley is ranked No. 4 in the state by the California Wrestler. With four wrestlers ranked in the top 10 of their weight classes, the Golden Bears are among the favorites for the team title at the prestigious Five Counties Invitational beginning today at Fountain Valley High.
“It makes for great continuity, “Coach Arnold Alpert said of the siblings. “The kids come in here and already have high expectations. They know what they need to do, what commitments they need to have and how hard they need to work because their brothers were here.”
Beeson is the oldest of seven children, including five boys. His parents put a mat in the garage so the boys could train together and practice moves against one another. If the need arises, it also serves as a place to work out any sibling rivalry issues.
“We’re always in there doing something, “said Beeson, the top-ranked 152-pounder in the state. “Whether it’s practicing or beating each other up. We’re a total wrestling family.”
He said that as the oldest, he has to be careful to set a good example, which has helped him remain disciplined.
“I have to be a role model for them, “he said. “If they see me slacking, then they’ll think it’s OK to slack. I’m pretty sure that’s made me work harder.”
Bowman, ranked No. 1 in the state at 140 pounds, is following in the footsteps of his brother. Jay, two years older than Kip, won a Southern Section individual title at Temecula Valley.
“When you have an older brother doing that, it makes you want to do it, “Kip said. “You’re looking up to him, and you want to be like him.”
Brother-inspired work ethic makes Alpert’s job easier. Temecula Valley has long been regarded as one of the top programs in Southern California, with 16 consecutive league titles and 10 Southern Section titles during that stretch. The Golden Bears are ranked No. 1 in the current Division I coaches’ poll.
Success at the highest level, though, has eluded Temecula Valley, which has never finished higher than fourth at the state championships. Alpert said that the family bonds could help change that.
“You’ve got kids in here wanting to go farther than their brother did, not wanting to let them down, “Alpert said. “You’ve got others trying to set the bar high for their younger brothers. I think that within two years we’re going to be a serious contender for the state title.”
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Five Counties Invitational
“¢ When: Today, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Weight-class finals begin at 7 p.m.
“¢ Where: Fountain Valley High, 17816 Bushard St.
“¢ Fast facts: Seventy-seven teams from California, Nevada and Arizona, including 18 of the top 20 teams in California, are scheduled to participate. Wrestlers in 14 weight classes will compete in 64-man brackets.
“¢ Admission: Today, $5 for adults, $3 for students with ID, $1 for children; Saturday, $7 for adults, $4 for students with ID, $1 for children.
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