WRESTLING

Prep wrestling: Immokalee's Ramirez, Palmetto Ridge extend streaks at CCAC championship

Scott Clair
Naples Daily News Correspondent

 

The Palmetto Ridge High School wrestling team celebrates its 14th straight victory at the Collier County Athletic Championships on Saturday in Immokalee.

On Saturday, Immokalee High School 126-pounder Gabriel Ramirez buzzsawed his way through the competition to win his third straight Collier County Athletic Conference wrestling championship.

In doing so, the junior became the first Indian to accomplish such a feat while also extending his season record to 29-1.

But there were few congratulations coming Saturday at the Immokalee gym. Not from his teammates. Not from his coaches. Not from his father, Fernando.

It's not that they’re indifferent to the Ramirez’s success -- all take great pride in discussing the junior, privately. It's because all see his vast potential and want to motivate him to even more success.

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“Even after a fast pin,” Ramirez said, “my father offers first his critical opinion. He’s always trying to improve my technique. And my teammates and coaches always push to motivate me to become better. I love them all for that and it's a good thing.”

Ramirez,who placed sixth in the Class 1A state tournament at 126 last year, wasn't the only one to improve his conference win streak.

Palmetto Ridge won the CCACs for the 14th time in 14 years on Saturday. The Bears, coming off a regional finals loss at the FHSAA state duals tournament on Thursday, regrouped to finish the two-day county championships with a 6-0 record.

“We had a long tradition of winning this coming in and we wanted to keep it going,” Bears coach Blaine Ison said. “Our kids were prepared and motivated. I'm really proud of their performance, especially having to wrestle three straight days.”

Palmetto Ridge, led by repeat winner Ben McCallister at 113, posted five individual conference champions. As with last year, the Bears were pushed by Golden Gate, which placed second and had six individual titlists.

Titans senior Devon Price (182) won his third title in four years, while teammate David Ortiz repeated at 138.

Referee Smith Isme raises Immokalee 126-pounder Gabriel Ramirez's hand in victory at the Collier County Athletic Conference wrestling championships on Saturday at the Indians' gym.

But it was Ramirez who garnered praise from the coaches.

“Great kid,” Ison said. “Love that kid. Known him for years. Wish he was on Palmetto.”

“He wins the right way -- respectfully,” Golden Gate coach Edwin Rey said. “Nice kid. Real polite.”

“He's a tough kid,” Indians coach Filiberto Gorosquieta said. “Gabriel is a tough kid to coach because he knows his stuff. At practice, we just concentrate on his drills. He's very focused and very determined.”

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While matches go on before he is supposed to take the mat, Ramirez dons his ears flaps and begins to pace alongside the action. Seconds after the match preceding his ends, Ramirez is in the center of the ring, already in his fight stance.

While preparing, Ramirez doesn't think about winning, but solely about two things: Fernando, and his mother, Myita.

“I wrestle for them,” Ramirez said. “My father didn't have the chance to wrestle in high school. I win for him, and my mom.”

Both parents choke up when hearing such words. Fernando, an Immokalee grad, worked the tomato fields each day after school when growing up. No time for extracurricular activities. 

Myita, who works at Immokalee Middle School, makes her son write out his goals before each season, then frames and hangs them in her son’s room. Neither has missed one of Gabriel's matches. Ever.

“This isn't about us,” Fernando said. “It's about Gabriel. He's done very well for himself. We take a lot of pride in our son, not for what he has won, but for who he is.”

Who Ramirez is, is the best wrestler in Collier County. Who he dreams of becoming hangs, in his handwriting, framed on his bedroom wall: “State Champion.”

Collier County Athletic Championships

At Immokalee High School 

Saturday

Team results


1. Palmetto Ridge 6-0; 2. Golden Gate 5-1; 3. Barron Collier 4-2; 4. Lely 3-3; 5. Gulf Coast 3-3; 6. Immokalee 2-4; 7. Naples 0-6

Individual champions

106: Cullen Guerrero, PR; 113: Ben McCallister, PR; 120: Michael Gonzalez, GG; 126: Gabriel Ramirez, Imm; 132: Gerald Rogers, GG; 138: David Ortiz, GG; 145: Andy Martinez, GG; 152: Mitch Hamilton, PR; 160: Colby Singletary, PR; 170: Marlon Moreta, Lely; 182: Devin Price, GG; 190: Nico Perovic, GC; 220: Sebastian Torres, BC; 285: Ivan Alvarez, PR