Buchanan, Clovis High meet in ‘The Big One.’ Why these wrestlers enjoy this spectacle
“The Big One” is like no other high school wrestling event on the West Coast.
From students with glow sticks to wrestlers coming through team mascot tunnels and entering to pyrotechnics, music, smoke. and a frenzied public address introduction, it’s a spectacle that wrestling powers Buchanan High and Clovis look forward to each year.
They’ve combined to win the past eight state championships (three straight by Buchanan). The Bears are ranked No. 1 by The California Wrestler, while Clovis is No. 6. Nationally, Flo Wrestling ranks Buchanan No. 3 and Clovis at No. 14. Eleven of the 28 wrestlers who competed Thursday are ranked in the top 8 by California Wrestler.
“There’s nothing like it,” said Clovis senior Jacob Good, who won by majority decision over Brandon Cardwell at 197 pounds. “The crowd and atmosphere ... you have to be here to experience it to know what it’s like. The atmosphere is a lot different and I love it.”
Buchanan Matthew Olguin said, “It’s a dual we look forward to every year. The rivalry is big and we won the last four years and hope to keep it going.”
Buchanan made it four in a row over Clovis with a 44-16 victory. The Bears had highlight pins by sophomore Maximo Renteria against Brandon Paulson in a matchup of the state’s top-ranked wrestlers at 128 pounds and by Fresno State-bound Olguin to improve to 23-0.
Some wrestlers were even more eager than others to wrestle in “The Big One.”
Last season as a freshman, Clovis’ Kade Campbell was on the sideline behind former Cougars wrestler and four-time state champion Seth Nevills.
Thursday, he said, “my nerves were going” before winning by decision over Zane Rix.
“It was definitely intense, and it’s an experience,” Campbell said.
Clovis assistant coach Adam Tirapelle coined the meet “The Big One” eight years ago because he “wanted people to understand this can be fun, too.”
“Got my brother (Buchanan coach Troy Tirapelle) involved,” he said. “Just show people that wrestling can be exciting, and once we got kind of started with some fans, then the next year the gym was getting more full. Now they’re selling tickets on Monday and turned people away.”
The Bears will host No. 13 Selma in the ‘Battle of The Bears’ on Tuesday.
A look at the results
Buchanan 44, Clovis 16
197: Jacob Good, Clovis, d. Branden Cardwell, 13-5 major decision.
220: Jadon Martin, Buchanan, d. Frederick Sayles, 16-6 major decision.
287: Kade Campbell, Clovis, d. Zane Rix, 4-1.
108: Jack Gioffre, Buchanan, d. Matt Terrence, 12-3.
122: Kyler Lake, Buchanan, d. George Rosas, 5-0.
128: Maximo Renteria, Buchanan fall over Brandon Paulson, third period.
134: Logan Gioffre, Buchanan, d. Giano Petrucelli, 4-3.
140: George Ruiz, Buchanan, fall over Nick Martino, second period.
147: Tyler Deen, Buchanan, d. Scott Hokit, 9-2.
154: Max Anderson, Clovis, d. Reymundo Raiz, 4-3.
162: Matthew Olguin, Buchanan, won by fall over Austin Frantzich, first period.
172: Rocco Contino, Buchanan, d. Mikelli Chiaramonte, 12-6.
184: Tyler Gianakopolus, Clovis, won by fall over Caden Rodgers, second period.
Anthony Galaviz: 559-441-6042, agalaviz_TheBee
This story was originally published January 17, 2019 at 11:15 PM.
