Henry Aslikyan mentioned “I’m simply right here to have enjoyable” when speaking about Saturday’s Metropolis Part wrestling championships at Roybal Studying Middle.
And why not? It’s all the time enjoyable whenever you win.
The Birmingham junior by no means displayed the slightest trace of concern, making it look simple with a pair of first-period pins, then a technical fall on the best way to his third particular person title and first within the 113-pound division.
“I needed to get just a little greater because the lowest weight in school is 125,” Aslikyan mentioned. “I’ve been rolling on the mats since I used to be 4 however actually began wrestling after I was 9. I did gymnastics earlier than that.”
Final summer time in Amman, Jordan, he captured the bronze medal on the U17 World Championships and is already dedicated to Michigan.
Birmingham’s Henry Aslikyan wins the Metropolis Part particular person wrestling title within the 113-pound division on the Roybal Studying Middle on Saturday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
“I just like the coaches over there and I’ll have some Cali boys on my group,” he mentioned. His largest adjustment could be the climate: “It would get chilly there.”
Below the tutelage of his dad Meruj, who was a profitable wrestler in Armenia, Aslikyan has excessive aspirations — particularly one other Metropolis title and two extra state titles. No massive deal.
“I’m on observe for it… that’s my aim,” the 17-year-old from Panorama Metropolis mentioned. “I’ll attempt to be 126 [pounds] subsequent yr and I wish to make the U20 group subsequent yr.”
In Saturday’s ultimate spherical, Aslikyan constructed an 11-point lead within the first interval towards Matthew Gonzalez of San Fernando, then he added just a few fast takedowns early within the second to win by technical fall, 20-3.
After back-to-back titles at 106 kilos Aslikyan moved up one weight class this winter and he has been simply as dominant, shedding solely as soon as by shut choice on the Doc B Invitational, a match he claims he has analyzed numerous instances and which he seems ahead to avenging ought to he meet the identical opponent February 27-March 1 in Bakersfield.
Birmingham’s Arno Vardanyan physique slams San Fernando’s Jorge Palacios within the 126-pound ultimate on Saturday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
“He’s an amazing child who’s obtained an open thoughts for studying,” Patriots coach James Medeiros mentioned. “Pretty much as good as he’s, he’s very coachable. He desires to enhance his method and he’s all the time asking me questions.”
As a sophomore, Aslikyan grew to become the second Metropolis wrestler to win a state championship and he may make it three by the point he’s executed. Jonny Parada of San Fernando received the state 126-pound division as a junior in 2013 however got here in fifth the next yr.
It’s no secret that Aslikyan desires to graduate as probably the most achieved male wrestler in Metropolis historical past — and he’s properly on his means. Ought to he win a fourth title, he would develop into solely the sixth boy to perform that, becoming a member of San Fernando’s Andy Moro (1996 to 1999), Raphael Reynolds (2002 to 2005), Mike Solis (2005 to 2008), Rashaad Reynolds (2006 to 2009) and Willie German (1999 to 2002), although none of them captured a state title.
Aslikyan was one among 9 Birmingham boys who made the finals of their division. Arno Vardanyan received at 126 after taking the 120-pound title a yr in the past, Arman Arutiunian received at 145, Gregory Torosian celebrated his birthday by capturing the 150-pound title (he received at 145 final yr) and Slava Shahbazyan received on a first-period pin to take the 165-pound title.
San Fernando’s Johnny Alvarez beat Birmingham’s Roman Arakelyan 15-0 within the 132-pound ultimate and Lincoln McClenahan of Granada Hills obtained a reversal early within the third interval and held on to upset the Patriots’ top-seeded Jessie Pena 4-3 at 138.
Birmingham continued its dynasty beneath Medeiros, who has piloted this system since 2011-12. The boys made it seven Metropolis group titles in a row whereas racking up 280.5 factors for a wholesome margin over runner-up San Fernando (209.0). The Birmingham women received their fourth straight group title with 256.0 factors, with Banning (133.0) and Granada Hills (133.0) subsequent.
Senior Avy Perez wanted 11 seconds to pin Eagle Rock’s Cecile Ranciere and win the 105-pound women division for her fourth Metropolis particular person title. A number of of her Birmingham teammates additionally received their weight lessons. Marlene Garcia received at 100, Delilah Barragan received at 110, Diana Barone received on a 15-second pin at 135, Adelaida Fernandez received at 140 and Elizabeth Reyes upset Maya Magana of Granada Hills by fall at 155.
