MARTIALING TALENTS HIGHLAND'S MCGUFFEE EXCELS AT MORE THAN JUST WRESTLING.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

PALMDALE - If it seems Jeremiah McGuffee brings a warrior mentality to wrestling, that's because he is a warrior.

A Highland High senior wrestler, McGuffee is an accomplished martial arts competitor. At 14, he won a national championship in the 14-to-17-year-old division that would have qualified him for the United States Olympic Tae Kwon Do team had he been a year older.

McGuffee had some training in judo before taking up wrestling at Highland, but after an admittedly confusing adjustment period, he has emerged as one of the area's top prep wrestlers.

McGuffee, who placed fifth in Southern Section Div. VI last season in the 152-pound class, is the only returning Golden League wrestler who qualified for Masters last season. Going into its league opener against Quartz Hill on Wednesday, he was 19-2 with 12 pins. He is 80-24 with 49 pins in his high school career.

McGuffee learned Tae Kwon Do as a child growing up in a rough neighborhood of El Monte mostly for self-defense. But his career in that sport blossomed; he lost just two matches in 10 years before giving up the sport two years ago to focus on school and wrestling.

McGuffee believes several aspects of his martial arts training have made him a better wrestler, particularly developing balance, hip control and self-discipline.

Other aspects of his training were less helpful.

In one of his first matches, when an opponent lunged toward him, McGuffee did what any self-respecting martial arts competitor would do, kicking him squarely in the stomach.

``I'm used to being on the balls of my feet, and if somebody charges like that kick them in the face,'' McGuffee said.

McGuffee said he apologized to his stunned his opponent. Surprisingly, McGuffee wasn't disqualified, and eventually won the match. Nevertheless, that experience brought home the differences between the two disciplines, and the adjustments he'd have to make.

``It made me concentrate on what not to do,'' he said. ``When a guy shoots, you don't kick them, you extend.''

But his martial arts training also has given him an edge that's helped him compete against more experienced wrestlers.

``It's a different mindset that he comes from, it's like, `Attack, attack, attack,' never let up,'' teammate Steven Frehn said. ``He already had the mindset for (wrestling) even though he didn't know everything about the sport.''

McGuffee is among several Highland wrestlers who have martial arts backgrounds, including his older brother Dale, who qualified for Masters as a senior in 2001, and Tony Herrera.

``I think it gave him a lot of balance, and a competitive nature,'' Highland coach Michael Young said. ``He wasn't afraid to go out and compete.''

McGuffee said wrestling taught him about the team concept, something he didn't get from his individual-oriented martial arts background.

Last season, McGuffee was bumped up a weight class to 160, where he came through with a crucial pin that helped the Bulldogs beat Charter Oak of Covina in the Southern Section title match.

These days, McGuffee is torn between pursuing wrestling at the collegiate level, where Young believes he has a chance to excel, or going to California, where he could compete on one of the nation's top Tae Kwon Do teams.

McGuffee, who plans to major in business and someday hopes to open a martial arts studio, acknowledged the choice will be difficult, but at least now he knows the challenges each discipline presents.

``It's two different sports, and you've got to look at each of them individually,'' he said.

Gideon Rubin [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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JEREMIAH McGUFFEE

Highland senior is an accomplished martial arts competitor and among the area's top high school wrestlers.