[sixcol_five_last]
By Michael Cruz
The Road to Glory
While most four year olds were playing with toys, Peter Santos started wrestling.
“It was fun! I immediately fell in love with the sport because I’m such a competitive person,” said Santos.
Peter Santos, Sr. was a wrestler and football player at Benicia High. He started coaching Peter, Jr. early and made sure it was all about wrestling in training. Back home, the Santos’ instilled strong family values and academics.
Santos excelled in football and wrestling his freshman and sophomore years at Woodcreek High School. However, an early exit his sophomore year at the CIF made Santos refocus on wrestling. His new goal was to just wrestle and win a state title. He transferred to nearby Oakmont High School. Fast forward to 2013 wrestling season and Santos wins the league, division, and SJS Master Championships.
Santos had his chance at redemption in the 2013 CIF State Tournament. He pinned his first round opponent in three minutes. Santos shutout his next challenger 12-0. Alec Gamboa’s streak came to end with Santos pinning him in less than two minutes. Peter kept going to another level. His semifinal opponent Jovan Villalobos was rendered scoreless in losing 15-0.
The finals were set and Peter faced a familiar opponent Cory Griego. Griego was the #1 ranked wrestler in the CIF. Here is what happened:
The Accolades

Santos posing with his Mission San Jose High School Invitational Champion of Champions award. (photo courtesy of thecaliforniawrestler.com)
Peter Santos winning the CIF 2013 170 lb. wrestling title was only the start. He finished ranked #8 nationally according to http://www.intermatwrestle.com/rankings/high_school/170 and #11 on FloRanking. Peter was also named Sacramento Bee’s wrestler of the year and Male Athlete of the Year for Sport Stars Magazine:
http://issuu.com/sportstars/docs/sjxapril18x13/1
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/06/5242284/oakmonts-santos-a-gentleman-off.html
He was next chosen to the prestigious California Dream Team and competed against other states at The Americas Cup. Peter went undefeated taking out the Idaho and Michigan state champions at The Americas Cup and helping CDT win it all. On National Signing Day he signed with the NC State Wolf pack wrestling team. On May 18, he was named to the All-American Wrestling Team.
The Future is Bright
Peter Santos is enjoying his last summer before college. He is ready to go cross-country and compete at the collegiate level. The young man is so likeable and humble. Maybe in four to five years we can see him on espnU at the NCAA Championships. Or maybe we can dream for 2016 and beyond?
http://www.keepolympicwrestling.com/
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GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
19th
SPRINT TRIATHLON, PACIFIC GAMES QUALIFIER
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

MMA/Boxing
JONES TO FACE FORMER UFC CHAMPION

Baseball
GECKOS SWING BIG IN SEASON OPENER

Running/Track
GECKOS, SHARKS BUILDING TRACK CONFIDENCE

Baseball
FRIARS EDGE ROYALS IN PITCHER’S DUEL

Baseball
FRIARS EDGE ROYALS IN PITCHER’S DUEL

Basketball
FRIARS TAKE DOWN PANTHERS 74-68
