Part II: The Golden Rise (1980-1989)

The dawning of a new decade brought a seismic identity shift to the Selma High wrestling program. Gone were the quiet years of mere survival and cautious optimism. Guided by the steady, demanding hand of alumnus and head coach Nick Quintana, the “Little Engine” that once chugged along the tracks of the Central Valley suddenly transformed into a high-speed freight train. The 1980s would become a legendary epoch for the Bears—a decade defined by roaring team titles, bloodlines of elite brothers and cousins, and the thunderous breakthrough that placed Selma indelibly on the map of California high school wrestling history.

1980: Laying the Groundwork in the New Decade

As the calendar turned to 1980, the Bears wasted no time announcing that the new decade would belong to them. Selma stormed out of the gates to capture 3rd place as a team in the rugged Sierra-Sequoia division, proving they possessed both top-tier stars and deep tournament grit.

The mat room was crucible, forging wrestlers who could survive the grueling gauntlet from division brackets all the way to the Central Section championships:

Diego Quintana: A name destined for program royalty, Diego signaled his arrival by capturing 2nd place in the Sierra-Sequoia Division at 103 pounds before charging into the Central Section tournament to secure a hard-fought 6th-place medal.

Robert Salazar: Showcased his relentless style by grinding out a stellar 3rd-place finish in the division at 112 pounds.

Buddy Hoegh: Proved to be a nightmare for opponents in the upper-middle weights, claiming 3rd place in the division at 154 pounds and following through with a brilliant 4th-place medal at sections.

Rudy Garcia: Put on a tactical masterclass to capture the coveted Sierra-Sequoia Division championship at 127 pounds.

Jim Ward: Added crucial team points by battling to a 4th-place division finish at 133 pounds.

Robert McDaniel: Displayed sheer power to secure 4th place in the division at 175 pounds.

1981: The Quintana Bloodline Strikes Again

The 1981 season proved that Selma’s resurgence was no fluke. Though the Bears placed 9th as a team in a hyper-competitive divisional tournament, individual brilliance carried the crimson and gold torch high into the postseason:

Diego Quintana: Further cemented the iconic Quintana surname by conquering the division tournament at 105 pounds. He didn’t stop there; Diego sliced through the competition at sections to place 2nd, punching his ticket to the state tournament where he immediately made noise by winning his opening-round bout.

Robert Salazar: Continued his ascent as a foundational pillar of the lineup, placing 2nd in the division at 112 pounds and fighting his way to a gritty 6th-place finish at the Central Section tournament.

1982: Breaking Through to Back-to-Back State Glory

Selma repeated its 9th-place team finish in the division in 1982, but the story of the season belonged to a historic milestone that signaled a shifting power dynamic in the Central Valley:

Robert Salazar: Crowned his divisional campaign with a magnificent championship at 119 pounds. Refusing to plateau, Salazar made a massive, career-defining leap at the section tournament, locking down a fierce 3rd-place finish in one of the bracket’s toughest weight classes. In doing so, he punched his ticket to the big dance and secured a vital program first: Selma High had officially qualified wrestlers to the state tournament in back-to-back seasons.

Diego Quintana: Claimed his second consecutive divisional title in breathtaking fashion at 112 pounds. Though a hard-fought 6th-place finish at sections narrowly kept him from a repeat state appearance, his dominance in the division room anchored the team’s championship spirit.

1983: The Rebuilding Crucible

Every legendary dynasty must endure a crucible, and the 1983 season was Selma’s test of fire. Wrestling through injuries and a youthful roster, the Bears barely cracked the top 10 in the team standings. Yet, true champions shine brightest when the surrounding structure is tested:

Scott Henson: Stood as a lone beacon of gold for the Bears, capturing the Sierra-Sequoia Division championship at 167 pounds through sheer grit. Henson carried that momentum straight into the section tournament, where his inspired performance yielded an impressive 5th-place finish.

1984: A Championship Explosion and Record Finals

If 1983 was the storm, 1984 was the lightning. Under the visionary leadership of Coach Nick Quintana, Selma captured its first team division title since 1970, outperforming every expectation. In a display of absolute program depth that sent shockwaves through the valley, the Bears shattered their own historic 1970 record by sending an astonishing six wrestlers straight to the division finals:

Scott Henson: Cemented his elite status by defending his turf to win his second consecutive divisional crown, this time bulldozing opponents at 175 pounds, before capping his run with a stellar 4th-place medal at sections.

Alan Torosian: Brought heavyweight thunder to the mats, placing 2nd in the division at 245 pounds and fighting his way to a tough 6th-place finish at sections.

Armando Lara: Displayed brilliant technique to capture 3rd place in the division at 98 pounds.

Nick Salazar: Put on a thrilling show, battling to a 2nd-place division finish at 103 pounds.

Victor Mendoza: Exhibited lightning-fast takedowns to take 2nd place in the division at 119 pounds.

Elias Zarate: Outworked opponents claim 3rd place in the division at 126 pounds.

Ocile Zarate: Fought through a war of attrition to place 4th in the division at 132 pounds.

Lorenzo Morales: Added vital points with a 4th-place division finish at 138 pounds.

Robert Henson: Dominated the mat to secure 3rd place in the division at 154 pounds.

Rick Ravalin: Proved his mettle with a brilliant 2nd-place division finish at 165 pounds.

Russ Mitchell: Overpowered rivals to take 2nd place in the division at 191 pounds.

1985: Shattering Records and Claiming State Medals

The 1985 season stands as one of the most electric campaigns in Central Valley history. Selma finished a razor-thin 2nd in the division behind arch-rival Washington Union by a mere two points—yet they achieved the unthinkable by placing an unprecedented eight wrestlers in the division finals. The Bears bounced back to take 3rd as a team at sections, and on the state stage, they finally broke through the ceiling:

Elias Zarate: Fought to a stellar 2nd-place finish in the division at 127 pounds, followed up with a brilliant 3rd-place medal at sections, and etched his name in golden letters into state history by capturing 4th place at the California State Tournament.

Robert Henson: Powered his way to 2nd place in the division at 154 pounds, matched it with a magnificent run to 2nd place in sections, and cemented his legacy by placing 6th at state.

Tim Thornberg: Captured the Sierra-Sequoia Division crown at 165 pounds, earned a fierce 2nd-place medal at sections, and battled his way deep into the state quarterfinals.

Alan Torosian: Proved his heavyweight dominance by taking 2nd in the division at 254 pounds and securing 6th place at sections.

Manuel Morales: Displayed incredible technical skill to finish 2nd in the division at 112 pounds and 4th at sections.

Rick Ravalin: Claimed an emphatic 195-pound division championship and fought to a 6th-place section medal.

Ocile Zarate: Joined the elite finals party by taking 2nd place in the division at 133 pounds.

B.J. Bonilla: Fought through a brutal bracket to take 4th place in the division at 175 pounds.

1986: Sibling Dynasties and Section Glory

Hungry for redemption after the narrow miss in 1985, Selma reclaimed the divisional throne in 1986 by a commanding margin of more than 30 points over Washington Union. Finishing 4th at sections, the Bears showcased a family-driven masterclass:

Rick Ravalin: Delivered a tour-de-force performance, capturing the 175-pound division title before marching through the Central Section tournament to claim the 176-pound championship and a top 8 state finish.

Ociel Zarate: Fought to a stellar 2nd-place finish in the division at 133 pounds and a 3rd-place section medal, earning his spot as a state qualifier.

Elias Zarate: Proved his enduring elite status by taking 3rd in the division at 138 pounds, finishing as the Central Section runner-up at 142 pounds, and walking side-by-side with his brother Ociel to make history as the first set of brothers to qualify for the state tournament in the same year for Selma High.

Manuel Morales: Displayed tremendous grit, taking 3rd in the division at 112 pounds and 5th at sections.

Alan Torosian: Placed 3rd in the division at 195 pounds.

Thomas Rodriguez: Secured 4th place in the division at 105 pounds.

Robert Zapata: Fought through a tough bracket to take 3rd in the division at 145 pounds.

John Morales: Crowned a divisional champion at 127 pounds.

 B.J. Bonilla: Claimed the 154-pound division championship in dominant fashion.

1987: Back-to-Back Crowns and Statewide Respect

Coach Quintana’s machine was now operating at peak efficiency. In 1987, Selma captured back-to-back divisional titles, routing runner-up Washington Union by a staggering 50-plus points:

Robert Zapata: Captured the 165-pound division title, secured 3rd place at sections, and went 2-2 in high-stakes battles at the state tournament.

B.J. Bonilla: Claimed the 175-pound division championship, took 3rd place at sections, and finished in the elite top 8 at the state tournament.

Thomas Rodriguez: Fought to a brilliant 2nd-place finish in the division at 112 pounds and a 5th-place medal at sections.

Eric Legarreta: Exhibited phenomenal poise, taking 2nd in the division at 98 pounds and 6th at sections.

Ismael Quintana: Scored crucial points by placing 3rd in the division at 126 pounds and 5th at sections

Louie Ramirez: Fought through a deep bracket to place 4th in the division at 119 pounds (setting the stage for his title run in ’89).

Johnny Morales: Secured 4th place in the division at 132 pounds.

Glen Jones: Wrestled with heavy hands to take 3rd in the division at 191 pounds.

Mike Morin: Claimed the Sierra-Sequoia Division championship at 154 pounds.

1988: The Crown Jewel – Selma’s First Individual State Title

The 1988 season was a symphony of excellence. Selma captured its third consecutive Sierra-Sequoia Division title in supreme fashion, racking up 191.5 points to Washington Union’s 120. At the Central Section tournament, the Bears fell just 7 points shy of powerhouse Clovis High—their highest team finish since 1985—and sent a record five wrestlers to the state tournament:

Robert Zapata: Wrote his name in immortal ink. After winning the 175-pound division title and capturing the Central Section championship, Zapata marched through the state tournament fields and emerged victorious, becoming the very first individual state champion in Selma High history.

Johnny (John) Morales: Fought to 2nd place in the division at 138 pounds, earned a stellar 2nd-place medal at sections, and went 2-2 at state.

Eric Legarreta: Captured the 103-pound division title, fought to 4th place at sections, and went 2-2 at state.

Joseph Marez: Took 4th in the division at 98 pounds, battled to 3rd place at sections, and went 2-2 at state.

Ismael Quintana: Claimed the 132-pound division crown, placed 3rd in sections, and advanced all the way to the state quarterfinals.

Jose Medina: Placed 4th in the division at 119 pounds.

Louie Ramirez: Crowned a divisional champion at 126 pounds.

Mike Morin: Claimed the division title at 165 pounds in dominant style.

1989: Conquering the Central Section and Reaching the Summit

The decade closed with an absolute masterpiece of athletic achievement. Selma captured its fourth consecutive division title by once again placing eight wrestlers in the finals. Then, they did the unthinkable: Selma High won the Central Section team championship, becoming the first small school in the history of the section to capture the ultimate regional crown. Sending a record six wrestlers to state, the Bears secured a magnificent 10th-place team finish at the state tournament:

Gary Quintana: Captured the 112-pound division championship, dominated the Central Section tournament to win the title, and reached the state finals, finishing as a spectacular 2nd-place state runner-up as a sophomore.

Eric Legarreta: Claimed the 119-pound division title, won the Central Section championship, and—after suffering a heartbreaking first-round upset at state—demonstrated unbreakable willpower by storming through the consolation brackets to place 6th in California.

Mike Morin: Won the 175-pound division crown, captured the Central Section championship, and competed fiercely at state.

Louie Ramirez: Secured the 132-pound division championship and fought to a brilliant 3rd-place finish at the Central Section tournament.

Thomas Rodriguez: Claimed the 125-pound division title and placed 4th at the Central Section tournament.

Ismael Quintana: Fought to 2nd place in the division at 145 pounds and took 4th at the Central Section tournament.

Nick Quintana: Took 2nd place in the division at 98 pounds and earned a 6th-place medal at sections.

Joseph Mares: Crowned a divisional champion at 105 pounds and placed 5th at the Central Section tournament.

Stay tuned for Part III as we follow Selma High into the 1990s, where the dynasty expands its reach and continues to shock the state of California.