The Falcon wrestling team spread its wings and soared in its recently completed season but two standouts seem to have promising careers as they leave the cerritos wrestling program.

Last season had many praiseworthy victories and the team placed in nearly every tournament it attended under coach Donald Garriott, who has been coaching at Cerritos for four years.

The Falcons had seven people advance to state finals, two of which became champions.

Caleb Gerl and Jose Lopes was a very reliable contributor to the Falcons’ success last season, as was Jose Lopez.

‘I would have to say that those guys, week in and week out, were really the cornerstones of the program,’ Garriott said.

As cornerstones both these athletes led the team to a admirable conference record and a sweep of almost every tournament they entered.

During its season, the Cerritos College wrestling team had an overall record of 10-5, and a record of 4-1 in the Southern Coast Conference, losing only to Santa Ana College.

It also placed second in the Modesto Tournament, third in the West Valley Tournament, third in the Southern California Regionals, and fifth in the State Championships.

Gerl, who wrestled at 184 pounds, won first place in every tournament he entered on his way to becoming a state champion

His impressive performances have earned him many offers from different 4-year universities and wrestling programs.

‘Right now, we’re just talking to colleges,’ Garriott said, ‘Caleb has been offered about three full-ride scholarships to different colleges, and he hasn’t decided where he wants to go.’

Some of the universities offering him scholarships are Grand Canyon University of Arizona, University of Nebraska Kearny, and the University of Findlay in Ohio.

Jose Lopez, the 285-pound freshman, is also planning to attend a 4-year university next semester.

The state champion won first place in the Modesto tournament, as well as the Southern California Regional, and received second place in many other tournaments, including the West Valley tournament.

Garriott is optimistic that he will find leaders within his program especially as new talented athletes are introduced to the team.

‘Steven Cabanas was a freshman this year that registered, and he was actually a high school national champion, so I kind of expect him to win state,’ Garriott said expressing enthusiasm for his new pupils.

‘Erik Sauvageau, he actually wrestled with us as a freshmen and took fourth in the state; he registered last year, and I can definitely see him winning the state title also next year,’ he added.