[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 2025
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
Events for January
1st
LEGACY SPIKEFEST TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
H.S. RUGBY
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
Events for February
1st
Events for February
4th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
H.S. TENNIS
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
5th
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
H.S. RUGBY
Events for February
6th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA H.S. TENNIS
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
7th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
SINDALU NINJA GAMES
H.S. RUGBY
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
Events for February
9th
Events for February
11th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA H.S. TENNIS
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA H.S. TENNIS
Events for February
15th
H.S. RUGBY
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
Events for February
15th
Events for February
16th
Events for February
18th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA H.S. TENNIS
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
20th
ISA H.S. TENNIS
FIBA BASKETBALL: GUAM VS. MONGOLIA
Events for February
21st
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
H.S. RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for February
22nd
H.S. RUGBY
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for February
23rd
Events for February
25th
ISA H.S. TENNIS
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL

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WEEK 2: GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS PRO TAKES ON TOKYO

Basketball
WARRIORS HOLD STRONG VS. TOUGH ROYALS

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS PRO TAKES ON TOKYO
