BOYS

Tom Nelford

SCHOOL: Rio Mesa

SPORT: Wrestling

YEAR: Senior

SEASON AT A GLANCE: Nelford, who is 38-3 with 20 pins, began the season ranked fifth in the state at 152 pounds by California Wrestlers magazine. Last season he placed fifth at 152 in the Southern Section Division I finals, then finished third at the section’s Masters meet. He just missed placing among the top eight at the state meet.

WEEK AT A GLANCE: Nelford recorded two victories last week in the Spartans’ key Channel League victories over Ventura and Dos Pueblos. Nelford, who has wrestled at 152 and 160 this season, moved up to the 191-pound division against Ventura and pinned Cody Green in 5 minutes 4 seconds, as Rio Mesa handed the Cougars their first league loss since 1989. Two days later, Nelford defeated Kevin Sterkin of Dos Pueblos, 17-8, at 173 pounds. “I knew I wasn’t going to be as strong as those guys at those weights, so I just used my speed,” Nelford said.