JOE DANSBY - jdansby@cuesta.edu  Joe began his tenure at Cuesta without much time to recruit, but still pieced together a squad that finished third in the Western State Conference and 17th at the State Championships in his first year. Within two years Joe had led the Cougars to second place at the 2003 State Championships. The wrestling program boasts of 7 State Champions, 45 All Americans, ten conference titles and, one State Small Schools State Title (1980). Joe is one of the most accomplished members of the Cuesta staff. He was a two-time NCAA Qualifier on his way to receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Cal Poly SLO. While at Cal Poly he was named the 1994 Physical Education Major of the Year. He continued his wrestling career as a three-time Olympic Trial Qualifier and a member of the US National Team. In 1997, he earned his Master’s Degree from Cal Poly SLO in Kinesiology. Joe coached at Cal Poly SLO as an assistant from 1994 to 1997, when he moved to Palma High. He joined the Cuesta Coaching Staff in 2001 and has continued teaching fulltime at nearby Mesa Middle School. Joe has also served as the National Freestyle and Greco–Roman California National Team Coach in 2000. Joe lives in San Luis Obispo.

 

Schedule

 

Roster

Cuesta College 2011 Wrestling [click on name for photo] all photos....
Name	Ht	Div	Yr	High School/ Hometown
Hunter Baird (no photo)	6-0	184	So	Palma/ Salinas
Brad Beaudette	6-0	174/184	Fr	Newport Harbor/ Newport Beach
Brodie Chenowth	5-9	149/157	Fr	Ramona/ Ramona
Mike Ciccarelli	6-1	141	Fr	King City/ King City
Matt Correa	5-6	125	Fr	Righetti/ Santa Maria
Kevin Coss	5-10	133	Fr	Vacaville/ Vacaville
Dale Fuller	6-2	197	So	Burroughs/ Ridgecrest
Jon Gay	5-9	133/141	So	Clovis/ Clovis
Carson Gracia	5-11	157	So	Summerville/ Tuolume
Spaso Ilich	5-6	141/149	Fr	Ramona/ Ramona
Justin Jauregui	5-8	125/133	Fr	Clovis East/ Fresno
Alex Larrimore	6-3	197	Fr	South Pasadena/ Pasadena
Michael McAlister	5-10	184	Fr	Rogers/ Puyallup, WA
Brandon Monroe (no photo)	6-0	157/165	Fr	Pioneer/ Woodland
Tanner Murrietta	5-10	157	Fr	Hanford/ Hanford
Dan Norris	5-7	125	Fr	Salinas/ Salinas
Chris Nunez	5-8	133	Fr	South Pasadena/ South Pasadena
Marshal Thrasher	6-3	285	Fr	Ramona/ Ramona
Joe Torres	5-7	133	Fr	Caruthers/ Riverdale
Head Coach: Joe Dansby Record/Years: 62-51/11th Assistant: Alberto Garza (7th) Office Phone: (805) 546-3100 x2704 2010 Record 10-4 2010 WSC Record/Finish: 4-0/1st 2010 Playoffs: 5th State

 

Preview

Cuesta Wrestling Builds on 2010’s Top 5 Finish

Cuesta Wrestling is coming off one of their best seasons in school history in 2010. The team not only won a South East Conference Championship, but also placed second in the Southern Regional and fifth at the State Meet. All eight Cuesta grapplers qualified for the State Meet and three earned All-American status (top four in the state) while an additional three placed in the state meet.

But THAT WAS THEN AND THIS IS NOW……which is the team’s 2011 philosophy. It is not about what they did, but what the team is going to do? The 2011 team’s goals are to repeat as conference champions, make a run for the Southern Regional Title and place in the top four at the State Meet and hopefully bring back some hardware.

Right now Head Coach Joe Dansby (62-51/11th year) and Assistant Coach Albert Garza (7th year) like what they have been seeing in the room. “We see a bunch of dedicated and talented young men that look forward to working hard on the daily basis and have something to prove” says Coach Dansby. “Things definitely are more fun when the guys you are working make it fun to coach” says Coach Garza.

The wrestlers hit the mat this Saturday in Bakersfield. The Cougars compete in the Bakersfield Dual Tournament.

The following is a breakdown of each weight class:

125 – Two freshman Matt Correa (Santa Maria: Righetti HS) and Justin Jauregui (Fresno). “Both of these guys will be ranked in the State at some point this year” says Coach Dansby. “Matt has a hard nosed style and is extremely difficult to score on while Justin is a technician who will only get better as the year goes on”. “We may have our 8th State Champion in school history on our hands at this weight class!”

133 – Speaking of shooting for a State Championship returning All-American Jon Gay (Clovis HS), who finished 4th in State in 2010, will be looking to be our 8th or maybe even 9th State Champion in school history. “Jon continues to improve daily and I just don’t see an end to his potential.” says Coach Garza. But Jon’s biggest competition may be in the room as High School standout Freshman Chris Nunez (South Pasadena HS) and Joseph Torres (Riverdale) are looking sharp and ready to fill the spot.

141 – Freshman Spazo Ilich (Ramona HS) looks to be the front-runner at this weight. Spazo is stunningly explosive and may see some time at 149 also. Checking in at this weight too will be Freshman Kevin Coss (Vacaville) who will be making his decent to 133 and prove to be another highlight for the Cougar lightweights. “Kevin has some pretty slick technique” says Coach Dansby. And if that were not enough Freshman Mike Ciccarelli (King City HS) may also decent down to this weight and cause a real dogfight for the weight class dominance. Mike should see a lot of time at 149 lbs.

149 – Again Mike Ciccarelli (King City HS) should be the early man at this weight but don’t count out Freshman Brody Chenowth (Ramona HS). “This guy likes to wrestle and if he is on, watch out cause anything can happen.” says Dansby.

157 – Sophomore Carson Gracia (Tuolumne) returns at this weight and looks to place at the State Meet this year. Coming one match away from placing last year Carson still feels the sting and is ready to make his mark. “Carson can be extremely tough defensively and has some surprises on top” says Coach Garza. Challenging for the spot after his decent will be Freshman Tanner Murrietta (Hanford HS). “If Tanner can stay healthy and focused we could see some very shocked faces from our opponents with Tanner” Coach Dansby says.

165- Tanner Murrietta (Hanford HS) should be here along with Freshman Brandon Monroe (Woodland). Brandon has shown so much promise over the year and the one thing you can count on with Brandon is he will not give up and you will be in for a match. No opponent should overlook Brandon!

174 – Michael McAlister (Puyallup, WA) seems to be the man at this weight. Michael is technically sound and has the will to win. He has his goals set high and aimed at a State Title. “What I like about Michael is he is not afraid to admit when he isn’t at his best, he is willing to put it on himself and is always working to improve on his not so best performances”. Also making a decent down to this weight will be freshman Brad Beaudette (Newport Beach), who shows improvement each and every week.

184 – Sophomore Hunter Baird (Salinas) will be hard to beat at this weight. He has the experience, the strength, the conditioning and the focus needed to follow up his teammates in questing for an individual State Title. “Hunter is a leader on the team and his dedication each in everyday reflects what happens on the mat”. Brad Beaudette (Newport Beach) will also see a lot of time at this weight class.

197- Sophomore Dale Fuller (Ridgecrest) has come off his redshirt year itching to test himself and show the world his improvement from his first season as a Cougar. Dale has set lofty goals and will be an integral part of the wrestling team reaching their team goals this year. Also looking to create an opening for himself for the position will be Freshman Alex Larrimore (Pasadena). Alex is aggressive and powerful and should put up some “W’s”for the team this season.

285 – Freshman Marshal Thrasher (Ramona HS) will be uncontested at heavyweights for the Cougars. Marshal is athletic and explosive which should give his heavyweight opponents some trouble. Dansby says, “Don’t let the last name fool you because he really is a nice guy…but hopefully he will live up to his name and thrash up on some of these big boys!”

Match Notes

CUESTA WRESTLING

Cuesta 28, West Hills 21

125- Matt Correa (C) Decision. Darren Salazar (WH), 7-3
133- Jon Gay (C) Major Decision. Cesar Salazar (WH)- 13-3
141- Eric Orozco (WH) Fall. Joe Torres (C), at 3:44
149- Alberto Arreola (WH) Decision. Spaso Ilich (C), 8-7
157- Carson Gracia (C) Injury Default. Frankie Mariscal (WH), Illegal Slam
165- Josh Lujan (WH) Fall. Tanner Murrietta (C), at 3:19
174- Michael McAlister (C) Fall. Anthony Ramirez (WH), at 2:59
184- Brad Beaudette (C) Fall. Mike Anderson (WH), at 2:04
197- Dale Fuller (C) Decision. Justice Cortez (WH), 15-9
285- Mike Perez (WH) Fall. Marshal Thrasher (C), at 5:33

Notes- Cuesta and West Hills-Lemmore slugged it out at Cuesta with half of the matches ending in a fall and a sixth ending in an illegal slam. The Cougars' Matt Correa won the first match of the evening by knocking off #11 Darren Salazar with a 7-3 win. All American Jon Gay, currently ranked #4, dominated Cesar Sanchez in the next match, 13-3, to give Cuesta the early lead. The Golden Eagles showed some strength in the middle of their line up with #3 Eric Orozco pinning Cuesta's Joe Torres at 141, however it took everything top-ranked Alberto Arreola had to hold off Cuesta freshman Spaso Ilich at 149, 8-7. Cuesta endured a scary moment at 157 when 2010 State Qualifier Carson Gracia was slammed by West Hills Frankie Mariscal. The driving move was deemed illegal by Referee Gary Dickerson and he awarded a match tying point to Gracia, however Gracia was so shaken up by the move that he could not continue the bout. Cuesta was awarded the match, six points, and took a 13-9 lead. The Golden Eagles took back the lead in the next match when #14 Josh Lujan pinned Tanner Murrietta at 3:19, but three quick wins by Cuesta clinched the match. Underrated freshman #13 Michael McAlister improved his record to 5-0 with a pin of Anthony Ramirez at 2:59. McAlister's pin of Rmairez in the final seconds of the first period represented his longest bout of the year. All five of his victories have been won by fall in the first period. #8 Brad Beaudette followed with a pin of Mike Anderson, while equaling McAlister's 5-0 record on the season. Redshirt Sophomore Dale Fuller clinched the match with the most entertaining bout of the evening. Fuller fell behind Justice Cortez early in the match, but came back strong in the second and third periods for a convincing 15-9 win. West Hills ended on a strong note when #6 Mike Perez pinned Marshal Thrasher, who gave up 45 pounds to the Golden Eagle, to close the gap to 28-21. Cuesta Coach Joe Dansby said, "We rose to the occasion tonight," he continued about Correa, McAlister and Beaudette, " It was a big day for our freshman." The Cougars are 3-2 in duals this season.

Next- Cuesta competes in the Modesto Tournament this Saturday.

Stats

2011 stats coming soon

Quick Facts/Dansby Record

Head Coach: Joe Dansby
Record/Years: 52-47/10th
Assistant: Alberto Garza (6th)
Assistant: Dan Martinez (3rd)
Office Phone: (805) 546-3100 x2704
2009 Record: 6-7
2009 WSC Record/Finish: 1-2/3rd
2009 Playoffs:12th State
Email: jdansby@cuesta.edu
Sports Information Director: Pete Schuler (805) 546-3211
Athletic Trainer:Jaison Wardrop, Anthony Geiger (805) 546-3225
Athletic Director: Bob Mariucci (805) 546-3100 ext.2709

Overall					Conference		Playoffs
Year	win	loss	tie	pct	win	loss	place	state
2001	2	6	0	250	2	2	3rd	17th
2002	7	5	0	583	2	2	3rd	16th
2003	10	3	0	769	2	1	2nd	2nd
2004	9	4	0	692	2	1	2nd	17th
2005	7	5	0	583	1	2	3rd	11th
2006	3	5	0	375	1	2	2nd	16th
2007	5	7	0	417	2	1	1st	16th
2008	3	5	0	375	2	2	3rd	18th
2009	6	7	0	462	1	2	3rd	12th
Total	52	47	0	525	15	15	1	0
Western State Conference Coach of the Year - 2007

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