2nd time a charm for Garcia

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2001 | 10:20 a.m.

The first time Brandon Garcia took up wrestling, he did so at the behest of his father, himself a former high school and collegiate wrestler. Just 6 years old at the time, Garcia hardly embraced the sport and gave it up.

The next time he stepped onto the mat, Garcia did so with open arms. An eighth grader preparing to enter high school, he welcomed the chance to compete on a varsity team.

As it turns out, the second time was the charm. Garcia has become one of Cimarron-Memorial's senior stalwarts and a threat to capture the state's 4A heavyweight title.

Best of all, his return to the mat has also meant more shared time at home and at school with his father, Mike, head coach of the two-time defending state champion Spartans.

"I just wanted him to be doing something, staying active," Mike Garcia said. "The first time he wrestled he didn't like it, but he took to it pretty well (the second time) and as he's gotten better and received some recognition. He's really picked it up."

After learning the ropes at 215 pounds as a freshman, Brandon Garcia remained at the weight the following year and by season's end, had worked his way into a dangerous wrestler. After a solid season, he captured the Southern Zone title and earned his first trip to the state tournament, where the Spartans took home their first team championship.

Garcia also started playing football in high school, earning distinction in that sport as well. Then-Cimarron coach Greg Spencer's emphasis on weightlifting also paid dividends for the school's wrestling team, with the two squads sharing many of the same athletes.

After wrestling in the state tournament and watching the Spartans' varsity football team win its first state title, Garcia had ample motivation to improve his work ethic. Mike Garcia, for one, noticed an immediate difference.

"His first year or two I was constantly riding him, but the last couple of years have been great," Mike Garcia said. "He does it all on his own. He gets up early, all summer, and goes down to the weight room."

Last year as a wily veteran, Garcia was expected to dominate his 215-pound weight class. And he did, rolling through the regular season and capturing his second zone crown. But while the Spartans captured their second straight state championship a week later, Garcia's quest for an individual title went awry, with the junior dropping a heartbreaking 6-5 decision to Wooster's Chad Espinoza.

Eleven months later, that loss -- decided when officials awarded Espinoza a late penalty point for an apparent illegal hold -- still pushes Garcia to get better.

"I was really disappointed I didn't win it," Garcia said. "I didn't think I should have lost."

This season, Garcia has moved up to the 275-pound, heavyweight class. Weighing in at under 250 pounds, that means the 6-3 senior often finds himself going head-to-head with much larger opponents.

Though Mike Garcia competed at 167 pounds during his collegiate days at Northern Iowa, Phoenix College and UNLV, the Spartans' coach knows full well how to keep his son from being overmatched.

"A kid can be 30-40 pounds bigger, and that can make a difference," Mike Garcia said. "Brandon probably shoots as well as anyone we've got, but you don't see it in a match because you don't want to get caught underneath (that weight)."

So far, Garcia has made the adjustment look easy, compiling a 20-2 record. His only losses came in last month's prestigious Tournament of Champions in Reno.

The Spartans also have served notice that they are the odds-on favorite to capture a third consecutive state team title. With veterans like Rayes Gonzales (152 pounds), Joe Tussing (189), Josh Fitzgerald (145), Andre Rhodes (171) and Garcia leading the way, Cimarron is unbeaten against area competition.

"If everybody keeps getting better, we're right on track to win state," Brandon Garcia said.

Mike Garcia, a longtime Spartan assistant, has taken on a new title this season, trading head coach-assistant coach positions with Tim Jeffries. The two men continue to share all coaching duties, as they have throughout Cimarron's recent run of dominance.

As for Mike and Brandon's relationship, both say wrestling has brought them closer together.

"He's one of those kids you enjoy having on your team, whether he's your son or not," Mike said. "What I've enjoyed the most is how well he's done in school and how he gets along with his peers."

Added Brandon, "(Wrestling) is something we both really like. It's a way for us to do something together."

And to think what the Garcias might have missed out on, had Brandon's first reaction to wrestling been his last.

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