Lobos on the Prowl: Langham Creek Eyes a District Three-Peat and a Shot at the Boys’ Title

It is time for the annual preview of 6A Wrestling in Districts 7, 8, 9 and 10. All schools whose coaches return a summary will have a spotlight on their team.

First up this season will be the Langham Creek Lobos. Langham Creek is in the Cy Fair school district, which puts it in District 10, which consists of all of the Cy Fair high schools. Langham Creek is only 2.1 miles from the Berry Center. Everyone who knows Texas wrestling should know where the Berry Center is located, unless you’ve never had the privilege of attending the State tournament for the past 11 years.

Head wrestling coach, Tommy Murray is entering his 7^th year of directing the Lobo program. He is very excited about the prospects of his Girls’ team coming off their back-to-back district titles.

The headliner of the team is Gianna Zavala who placed 3^rd last season at 110 lbs. in the UIL Championship, with her only tournament loss coming to the two-time champ, Hailey Delgado of El Paso Eastwood. According to Coach Murray, Zavala has had a great off-season, and is providing strong, senior leadership to the rest of the squad, which consists of many whose impact will be felt at districts for sure, and some even further.

To highlight a few: At 100 lbs. sophomore Isabella Bello was a regional qualifier as a freshman despite the fact she did not start wrestling until the season had started. She made it to the regional blood round despite holding the 16^th seed in the bracket. Bello has had a full off-season of wrestling, and expectations of her are high.

Senior Gloria Briseno has been waiting in the shadows as well as dealing with several injuries the last few years. She earned her spot in the varsity lineup late last season, but still earned a place as the regional alternate at 105 lbs. Briseno will continue to grow with a full bill of health and hard work. She is a scrappy wrestler and will make big strides this season.

Maddie Groff had a great start to her sophomore season last year before she was injured. Now with a full slate of good health and at her natural weight, this is her year to step up and take what she has been waiting for and working so hard for. She wrestles at a fast pace and keeps at her opponents like a bulldog.

Senior Gianna Zavala (42-12) is on a mission this year to get back on the state podium. Last year she out-performed her 5^th seed by earning the Bronze medal. She has her sights set higher. Coach Murray says she has ‘it’ figured out and will be tough for all opponents this year.

Jelena Morel-Ramirez is another young wrestler who didn’t earn her spot in the lineup until late last year, but when she got it, she took advantage of making the most of her 9^th grade year. She qualified for the Region 3 tournament, and with only two tournaments under her belt, she is looking to take a big step forward this year as a sophomore.

Miley Escalante began wrestling last year as a sophomore and had tremendous growth over the year. She turned it on towards the end of the season and became a 125 lb. regional qualifier. Just like most of her teammates, she has realized that wrestling is not just a 5-month a year sport. To keep up with the rest of the field, you have to outwork the field, and that means year-round. Her deliberate, but explosive wrestling pace will be fun to watch as the season progresses.

Erica Mvungi, another wrestler who sharpened her wrestling teeth as a 9^th grader last season is ready to add more than points at the district tournament. This season she will be wrestling at her weight, and may surprise many people with how she has improved.

Senior Malqui (Malquisa) Barajas is a four-year varsity wrestler, but this year it looks like it is all clicking for her. Her inner drive is moving at top speed. She will be hard to score on, and her leadership and experience will help her stand out.

All-in-all, it is a well-mixed team of veterans and under-class wrestlers pushing each other all the time, creating a culture that demands hard work and movement towards team success, especially with the opportunity to be back-to-back-to-back District Champions. Some very successful seniors were lost to graduation, but this year’s team may be the strongest overall team in a long time.

Next up the Boys squad. 

This year’s team is heavily laden with senior boys throughout the lineup. While not highly successful, they have had some success. With some tough wrestlers in the lower weights and some heavy hitters in the upper weights, big things are expected from this year’s team, especially as the season moves on and the Boys gain greater experience.

Senior Jackson Lamb is another wrestler who is now at their natural weight (106). There are high expectations for Jackson now that he has the experience, knowledge and work ethic to make a big impact in the area. Coach Murray believes he will turn some heads this year.

Francisco Lopez is another senior that everyone should know, but they don’t. Francisco is one of the better technical wrestlers that Coach Murray has had in the last few years, and by far, one of the hardest workers. He just has had unfortunate luck with injuries the last few years. So far, he is looking healthy, fast, strong, and more determined than ever. He WILL surprise people this year and have a big year.

Junior Jaden Knotts is extremely athletic, strong and very fast. He struggled last year at the varsity level, but has committed 100% to wrestling as his first sport (sorry football coaches) which has helped him refine his skills and technique, and most importantly his confidence. Coach Murray believes that Knotts will have a strong season and improve as the year goes on.

Seth Carranza, another 12^th grader, is at the point where he should be able to minimize match-changing mistakes because of his improved technical skills. Seth will have a solid year.

Senior Brian Lopez is a wrestler who underperformed last year. He is a very strong wrestler who is great at finishing attacks. He is crafty and usually in a good position. Over the offseason Brian has focused on improving his stamina and late match tactics. Lopez is expected to have a big year and score some major points for the team during the season.

Another fulltime wrestling commitment is junior Leo Thomas. Thomas played football in both freshman and sophomore years, but has given that up and has been participating in major tournaments, clinics, and camps during the offseason. He is a hard worker and a highly energetic wrestler. l After being a regional alternate last season, he is expected to go to the State tournament this February.

Coach Murray says that Joaquin Ramirez is probably the most fun wrestler to watch. Last season he jumped from 190 to 175 to 215. He would never say no to an opportunity to wrestle. At 215 lbs. last year (weighing only 185) he became a regional alternate, and then got into the tournament. In his first match against the #1 seed, he put him on his back twice in the first period, but could not seal the deal, but it showed what he is capable of. Now at the weight that he wants to compete in, a year of experience and hard work, and being by far, one of the strongest kids in the entire school, Ramirez has his eyes on nothing less than competing in the State tournament.

The final senior is Romeo Granados. Romeo is expected to have a BIG year. Romeo is one of the starting offensive linemen on the 6-2 Langham Creek football team, but he still attends wrestling camps, clinics, and practices. He has gained weight and muscle since last season, but has maintained his athletic and aggressive wrestling style.  Granados is looking at a spot on the state podium. It’s just a matter of when he can start competing when football has completed.

District 10 boys’ championship looks to be up for grabs, and the Langham Creek Lobos believe they have just as much to say about who wins that trophy as anyone else.

The season schedule is highlighted by several notable tournaments:

• Texas Women’s Classic (Girls)
• Lone Star Classic (Boys)
• CyFair ISD 
• District 10 Duals (first time in memory)
• Texas State Duals  (Girls)
• Duals Highlights:
• Tri with Katy and Klein @ Langham Creek on Nov 24^th
• Mayde Creek
• Southlake Carroll (LCHS Senior night on Jan 7^th, usually held on the stage in the auditorium)