For the first time in many years, if ever, Los Banos is home to a nationally ranked student athlete, Brokton Borelli. Brokton is ranked 14th in the nation for wrestling at 195 pounds. 

Brokton and his siblings, Larry (175 lbs) and Angelina (106 lbs) have been wrestling year-round for all of their high school careers. On October 21-22, they competed at the Super 32 Challenge in Greensboro, North Carolina, which is one of the toughest high school tournaments in the nation. In the boy’s high school category, 161 nationally ranked wrestlers were enrolled, including 9 #1s and 35 in the top 5 of their weight classes. 

In the tournament, Brokton defeated some top regarded wrestlers. Several have already committed to Penn State, the Air Force Academy, Wyoming State, and other universities. Despite his high rating, he is far from finished. He intends on returning next year by pushing himself to the absolute limit. As he puts it, “This means pushing myself to the maximum and absolute limit, then doing a bit more, making the right nutrition choices and studying my matches as well as the best wrestlers in the world.”

This year, in his high school season, he hopes to make a name for Los Banos High School, his family and himself. He said, “I know it is hard to follow a season like last year’s, but I believe that with our coaches as well as the emerging leaders in our program we have a chance at replicating last year’s season or perhaps doing even better.”

When asked about what motivates him, he said, “I truly love pushing my limits and just chasing down PR’s in the weight room, getting just a little bit faster, working on cardio, and pushing myself to be the best that I can be.” However, he also mentioned that none of that would matter without the support of his family, coaches, and friends. 

High school wrestling pre-season has already begun and has its first tournament this upcoming week. However, the actual season begins in early 2024 meaning there is still time for fellow Tigers to join. 

Check out the national rankings for boys from the Super 32 Challenge! https://www.flowrestling.org/rankings/11210877-2023-24-high-school-rankings/46628-195-lbs