TRIO DOMINATES SOUTHERN SECTION WRESTLING; ZEMP, CHIARO AND FORD BOOST PALMDALE CHANCES.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer Palmdale High's Devon Zemp, Ty Chiaro and Rickie Ford should give the Falcons a firm presence in the upcoming Southern Section Division IV individual wrestling championships on Feb. 20-21 at Santiago High in Garden Grove Garden Grove, city (1990 pop. 143,050), Orange co., S Calif., a suburb of Long Beach and Los Angeles, on the Santa Ana River; founded 1877, inc. 1956. Many of its residents work in nearby aerospace and defense installations, and there is light manufacturing. . Zemp, a 130-pound junior, is 40-2 with 27 pins. Seniors Chiaro (160) and Ford are 35-8 and 29-4 (21 pins) respectively. A closer look at each wrestler: DEVON ZEMP Perhaps Zemp is Palmdale's strongest favorite. He owns the Palmdale record with 205 career takedowns, and is now 128-23 for his career. ``Devon isn't bad at all,'' coach Gary Dickerson said. ``He's short and stocky stock·y adj. stock·i·er, stock·i·est 1. Solidly built; sturdy. 2. Chubby; plump. stock  i·ly adv. , and real quick. He has real good
hips. Once he gets on you, you're pretty much doomed.''
Zemp comes from one of the area's most notable wrestling families. Brothers Trevor and Ian dominated before him. Trevor is a Palmdale assistant this season. Ian wrestled at BYU BYU Brigham Young University BYU Bayou BYU Bob's Your Uncle BYU Bayreuth, Germany - Bindlacher Berg (Airport Code) BYU Beyond Your Understanding . But Devon Zemp wants to be better than his brothers, and makes no secret about it. ``I think his brothers picked on Devon when he was growing up because Devon was the youngest,'' Dickerson said. ``That is what has made Devon so tough.'' Zemp says he's satisfied as long as he keeps progressing. ``I think I'm doing pretty good this year because I've improved from last year,'' Zemp said. ``My skills are better, top to bottom. I'm hoping to make the CIF (1) (Common Intermediate Format) A standard video format used in videoconferencing. CIF formats are defined by their resolution, and standards both above and below the original resolution have been established. The original CIF is also known as Full CIF (FCIF). finals to prove I can make it no matter what.'' In Zemp, coach Dickerson sees the attitude of a champion. ``Devon is just a great sportsman,'' Dickerson said. ``I don't think he's missed a practice in three years, and if he does lose - which isn't very often - he loses with dignity.'' Dickerson is impressed that Zemp was able to avenge a·venge tr.v. a·venged, a·veng·ing, a·veng·es 1. To inflict a punishment or penalty in return for; revenge: avenge a murder. 2. a setback setback In architecture, a steplike recession in the profile of a high-rise building. Usually dictated by building codes to allow sunlight to reach streets and lower floors, the building must take another step back from the street for every specified added height interval. to Quartz Hill's Markus Winters. After losing 9-5, Zemp topped Winters in the rematch REMATCH Cardiology Clinical trials–Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance Therapy as an alternative in Congestive Heart failure–related to use of a portable, electric left ventricular-assist system–LVAS–eg, HeartMate® 13-8. TY CHIARO Chiaro (pronounced KEY-are-oh) is a three-sport standout who starts as varsity football defensive back and also holds the school 100-meter breaststroke swimming record. He is the returning Golden League wrestling champion at 160. ``This year I've really focused on improving my strength,'' Chiaro said. ``I think I have an advantage because I've stayed at the same weight, so I have a year up on a lot of other kids.'' Chiaro is a technical wrestler, preferring to outpoint out·point tr.v. out·point·ed, out·point·ing, out·points 1. Nautical To sail closer to the wind than (another vessel). 2. his opponents instead of trying to outmuscle out·mus·cle tr.v. out·mus·cled, out·mus·cling, out·mus·cles Informal To dominate or defeat by means of superior strength or power. them. He has 12 pins. ``I'm not big on pins,'' he said. ``I just go out there and try to score a lot of points, maybe get a technical fall (by amassing a 15-point margin).'' Chiaro is confident in his abilities. ``I definitely think I've got a shot,'' he said. ``I want to go to CIF Masters.'' Chiaro credits teammate Rickie Ford for much of his success. The two are best friends and constantly wrestle each other, even though Ford is about 25 pounds heavier. ``We've been going at it for six years,'' Chiaro said. ``Nine out of 10 times Rickie will beat me, but we make each other work. I figure if I can get away from him, I can get away from anyone.'' Chiaro certainly has the ingredients for success. He is an honor student and his family backs him 100 percent. Mother Shelly Estrada is the president of the team booster club A booster club is an organization that is formed to contribute money to an associated club, sports team, or organization. Booster clubs are popular in American schools at the high school and university level. . Chiaro even has his own motto to keep him going: ``Respect all but fear none.'' RICKIE FORD Ford is perhaps the area's most entertaining wrestler because of his aggressiveness and fiery style. ``Rickie is not on the mat for very long,'' Dickerson said. ``He's a gentleman who will shake your hand before the match, but then he wants to destroy you. He's got animal instincts, and he just flies around the mat until his opponents' shoulders are pinned.'' Ford says his strategy is chillingly simple: ``I just go out there and pin 'em.'' Ford has actually been wrestling at 215 most of the season - filling in for injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. Casey Green - to help the team out. Like Chiaro, Ford is also a multi-sport performer. He started at middle linebacker in football, and cleared 13 feet as a pole vaulter last year. Perhaps by wrestling at 215 for much of the year, Ford will have an advantage in the playoffs. ``I'm just going to work hard and not let the other guy score points,'' he said. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Palmdale High wrestlers See
Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
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