The Cardinal wrestlers ended with a mixed record this season after facing tough competition, but plan to come back strong, benefiting from new coaching techniques and more practiced wrestlers next year.  
In the inaugural girls state championship on Feb. 25 and 26 held in Lemoore, California, sophomore Alondra Barajas, the only female athlete to represent the school, competed against two girls, but was unable to achieve a win in the competitive event.  
In the All-City sectionals on Feb. 26, the wrestlers took sixth place as a team, and fought hard for five individual medals, won by sophomore captain Andy Lee, senior Cesar Juarez, junior Manuel Varguez, sophomore Ariel Perez and freshman Rost Tolochko.  
During the regular season, the Cardinals fought the rival Eagles and Lions as Washington and Galileo charged into the top two spots. The two other teams that beat the Cardinals — Balboa and Mission — rose to third and fourth places.  Lowell finished fifth with a 4-4 record, above Lincoln, Stuart Hall, O’Connell and Lick-Wilmerding.  
Next year the team plans to adapt the higher standards of competition in the league as new Cardinal wrestlers strengthen their skills. “Next season our team will improve when the first year wrestlers begin to settle in to the team,” Barajas said.  
Head coach Colin Ikeda, and assistant coaches Denise Lee, Francisco Vargas and Michael Wise will also continue to advance the team. “I believe that the strength of a team starts with the coach, so I’m trying to improve by reading, watching videos and talking to more experienced people,” Ikeda said.  “I think we have a good chance of scoring a lot higher next year as our juniors and seniors improve.  I was also very impressed by the freshmen, and I look forward to working with a strong frosh/soph team.”
The Lowell’s choice for Most Valuable Player is junior captain Emilio Wise, who dominated his weight class at tournaments and matches and brought a spirit of hard work to the team.  
Wise held an outstanding personal record, taking control of the league in his 130 pound weight class and placing in three tournaments. He went 7-1 during the regular season and took an overall record of 19 wins, six losses, including tournaments and other events.  
His crushing in-match record was unblemished until he faced the powerful Eagles. “Emilio won by either pin or forfeit in every league match except against Washington,” head coach Colin Ikeda said.  
Emilio was committed to helping the new wrestlers improve by passing on his experience and leading the team.  “Emilio was dedicated to helping the team learn to wrestle well,” senior girls’ captain Mabel Fung said.  
As one of the three boys’ co-captains, Wise also brought a powerful work ethic to the team.  “Emilio leads by example,” Ikeda said.  “He trains really hard and has a definite will to win.”

A version of this article first appeared in the March 24, 2011 print edition of The Lowell.