Local youth wrestler Brandon Velasquez has been tearing it up in national club competitions throughout the year.
The Dos Pueblos High sophomore is a 15-under national champion at 144 pounds through Rocky Mountain National events.
He competes for South Coast Wrestling’s “Lion’s Den” Club, which is run by former San Marcos wrestling coach Tony Becerra. He is coached by his father, Dan Sifuentez.
“Brandon is very technical, aggressive, and makes great situational decisions in matches. His scrambling is at another level,” said Becerra.
At his most recent club competition, Velasquez advanced to the semifinals at an event called the Super 32, held in Gilroy. The tournament featured many of the best wrestlers in California. He placed fifth in a challenging 38-man bracket at 150 pounds.
Over the season, he’s won five tournament titles and finished second at the RMN Nationals in Las Vegas, wrestling up in weight class at 157 pounds. The runner-up finish earned him RMN All-American honors in the 15U Division. He is ranked No. 1 at 157 pounds.
Velasquez is expected to wrestle for Dos Pueblos this winter season.