Agoura wrestlers competing as a cohesive unit

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers THIS IS HOW IT’S DONE—Agoura senior Devin Conroy, left, and head coach Dennis Ritterbush demonstrate a few moves during Tuesday’s practice session. AHS has posted a 16-7 overall record heading into tonight’s matchup against Royal. Ritterbush said the Chargers’ success is the direct result of their team-first attitude. For Agoura wrestling coach Dennis Ritterbush, it’s been a welcomed change.

Gone are the days of his team wrestling solely as individuals, the head coach said. For the Chargers this season, it’s been all about the team concept.

“This year the seniors said they wanted to work on team more than individuals,” Ritterbush said. “So we made kind of a reversal philosophy push to try to impress upon the younger kids that team is important, and it’s not just an individual sport.

“But in reality, if every individual does well, the team will always do well,” the coach said. “We just haven’t pushed that this year.”

Agoura has only four seniors on its roster—Devin Conroy (130 pounds), Matt Bronstein (135 pounds), Ryan Canino (140 pounds) and Joey Wolhaupter (215 pounds).

Ritterbush, in his 11th year as head coach and 28th with the Agoura wrestling program, is quick to credit each of the seniors for playing a major role in the team’s 16-7 overall record thus far.

“They are our key getters, our key go-out-and-do guys,” Ritterbush said. “They have a lot of confidence in what they’re doing. They lead real well on the mat.”

Conway said the Chargers had high hopes coming into the season, but the team has been slowed somewhat by injuries and illnesses.

“A couple of the seniors got hurt—shin problems, finger and shoulder problems—but we’re pulling it together and we’re doing well at tournaments,” Conway said. “We’re improving as a team.”

AHS is 1-3 in the Marmonte League after beating Moorpark in the league opener. Since the win, AHS has lost three consecutive league matches to Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Simi Valley.

Ritterbush said the setbacks to Newbury Park and Simi Valley could have gone either way, as the Chargers lost each match by one bout apiece.

“One guy being pinned or pinning is a 12-point swing in wrestling,” Ritterbush said.

“I think the league this year is all about parity,” the coach said. “The only team that stands far out in front is Royal. They’re the oddson favorite for a league championship. I think the other schools are currently on par with each other.”

Royal is currently ranked No. 1 in the CIF-SS Division V poll.

During each match, competing schools have 14 active wrestlers.

Agoura’s varsity roster often fluctuates during league play, as the wrestlers have to earn their way onto the list of competitors during the practice sessions that lead up to the matches on Thursdays.

“Every Tuesday there’s a challenge for (junior varsity),” Bronstein said. “Anybody in a weight class can wrestle a JV wrestler and if they win, they can wrestle JV.”

“Then on Wednesday, the JV wrestler challenges the varsity wrestler,” Bronstein said. “Every week it switches up. Every week you have to earn it.”

Bronstein added that the weekly practice challenges give the older wrestlers a chance see for themselves which underclassmen are developing their skills during the course of the season.

Bronstein said, based on what he’s seen this year, Agoura could have some quality talent on the mat in the future.

“The future’s going to be great if a lot of these kids stay with the team—a lot of people quit because it’s hard,” Bronstein said.

Junior Rebecca Polich (119 pounds) has wrestled at Agoura for three years. She’s competed with the JV team for the majority of this season, and got to wrestle with the varsity squad against Simi Valley.

While she may have been pinned in her varsity appearance vs. Simi, Polich said this season’s been more enjoyable than the past two years.

“We have better leadership this year. They’re all friendly and helpful,” Polich said. “Last year the leadership didn’t show up a lot. We weren’t very centralized, it was pretty much every man for himself.”

Polich said she envisions herself in a leadership role next year.

But before that day arrives, Polich and her teammates still have a lot of work to do, starting today when Agoura travels to Royal.

After today’s matchup with the Highlanders, Agoura’s Frosh/Soph team will compete in the T.O.H.S. Tournament on Saturday.

Next Thursday, AHS has its always anticipated match against Westlake.

“That’ll be good for us,” Ritterbush said. “Westlake has put its team back together. Every year they get stronger.”