COACHES AND TEAM
SITE MENU HOME PAGE HANDBOOK SCHEDULE HALL OF FAME RECORDS AND RESULTS ALUMNI PAGE COACHES AND TEAM COACHING ALUMNI HEAD COACH JOHN OWINGS 1960-1967 HEAD COACH JOE BERKICH 1968-1969 HEAD COACH BRUCE BORAD 1970-1971 HEAD COACH TIM RHYAN 1972-1977 HEAD COACH BILL KEPLER 1978-1979 HEAD COACH CLYDE FORREST 1980-1983 HEAD COACH CORY SALMON 1984-1996* ASS. COACH DANN VALDEZ 1991-2007 HEAD COACH BOB GONZALES 2009-2010	Jim Keck 17^thyear (15 years Head Coach) Coach Keck is a 1989 graduate of College Park. While in College Coach Keck wrestled at both Chico State and UC Davis. He has been a part of 10 League Championship teams as either an athlete or coach at College Park. Coach Keck was named NCS Honor Coach of the Year 2004 and CC Times Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2007. Coach Keck is a teacher at College Park.
	Leroy Rivers 21^st year Coach Rivers is our technique expert. He works with our wrestlers year-round in our club and youth programs and is always looking for ways to improve. His insight and positive influence have been a key part of College Park’s success. Leroy has helped coach 11 League Championship teams and ten top five team finishes at North Coast. Coach Rivers wrestled at Diablo Valley College.
	Cory Salmon 18^th year* Coach Salmon was the head coach at College Park for 13 years between 1984 and 1996. During his tenure the Falcons captured 5 League Championships, had 5 top five finishes at NCS, and 2 top ten finishes at the State Level. He was named NCS Honor Coach of the Year in 2007 while an assistant at Las Lomas. Coach Salmon is the founder of the Pleasant Hill Wrestling Club (1986) and the Valley View Wrestling Team. He has also had the honor of being named #1 wrestling official in the state 6 times in the past 10 years. Coach Salmon wrestled for Diablo Valley College and Cal State Bakersfield.
	Dave Smith 10^th year Coach Smith is a retired contractor who has been volunteering his time with our wrestlers since 2001. Coach Smith was an assistant at Las Lomas prior to his move to College Park. His calm demeanor and leadership have helped the JV Wrestlers prepare for the step up to varsity. Coach Smith wrestled at Diablo Valley College.
	Sean Rogers 2^nd year Coach Rogers finished his College Park wrestling career with a 4^thplace finish at North Coast Section. He is currently a student at DVC and will be working with our heavier wrestlers as they push for the post season.
	Bob Wilhelm 2^nd year Coach Wilhelm is back to lend his help to the team again this year. “Bob” has been a fixture in the program for many years, helping with all levels of the program. “Bob” is a favorite of our student/athletes and he can be seen at almost all sporting events at College Park.
	Tucker Wilkes 2^nd year Coach Wilkes will be starting his second year of coaching for the Falcons since graduating in 2010. He should be a key figure in pushing our heavier wrestlers to get better. Tucker holds the College Park all time squat record of 615lbs.
	Sean Grandin 1^st Year Coach Grandin was a four year wrestler for College Park. After High School he went on to play football at DVC and McPherson College. Sean is now assisting with our College Park football team as well as wrestling team.
	Sonny Nguyen 1^st year Sonny is returning for his first year as a grad assistant this year. His presence will be invaluable to our lighter team members. Sonny’s speed an skill will be a great asset to push the team along with his always positive attitude.
	Matt Zonfrello 1^st year Matt is returning to College Park after graduating from UC Davis. Matt was a CIF State Placer (5^th) at heavyweight his senior year. Matt went on to wrestle at UC Davis. His experience at the upper weights will be a great benefit to our big guys especially with the new weight divisions. Mat is also very successful in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu something he took up while in College.
	KEY RETURNERS
LARRY LASATER(88) Larry Lasater grew up in Martinez, California. He began wrestling at College Park High School as a small 78 pound freshman. Larry’s small stature could not hide his competitive spirit and desire to succeed. He lifted weights, ran twice a day, and did off season wrestling. By his senior year Larry was a 2^nd year Varsity Letterman at 112 pounds and a Team Captain. After graduating in 1988 Larry wrestled at Diablo Valley College and coached the College Park JV wrestling team. After earning his AA Larry transferred to UC Davis where he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and received a BA in Political Science and History. While at Davis Larry was accepted to the Marine Corps Officer’s Training School. As a Marine Officer Larry obtained the rank of Captain and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. Although he loved the Marine Corps, Larry wanted to move back to the Martinez area with his wife Jo Ann and start a family. Upon returning to Martinez Larry entered the Police Academy at Los Medanos College and finished first in his class. At the Academy he was a favorite among instructors and trainees. Larry was honored with an award for hard work and leadership which was created for and named after him. He became a Pittsburg Police Officer who enjoyed his job and serving the community. Larry loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was funny, intelligent and compassionate. Larry was a devoted husband and looked forward to fatherhood more than anything else in his life. Sadly, he was never given the chance. Larry was fatally shot in the line of duty, April 23^rd 2005 and was taken off life support on April 25^th 2005, 2 ½ months before his son Cody was born. Larry gave the gift of life by donating his organs, in one last act of kindness. Those of us in the wrestling community will remember Larry for how he lived his life. His competitive nature could turn a simple card game into a wrestling match and his sense of humor could turn a three mile run to the firehouse seem like minutes. Larry had a passion for wrestling, natural leadership ability, a desire to face challenges head on, and an intriguing predisposition to love every minute of it all. Although Cody will never meet his father, he will know what an amazing person he was through the many people who loved him.	Cody Teifel (11)- NCS qualifier at 103 in 2010.
	Casey Salmon (12)- Finished 8^th in NCS at 112 in 2010 and Junior Freestyle State Champion.
	Brian Sergi (12)- Returning 2x NCS Champion and 2x Junior Greco All-American.
	Joey Avila (12)- Finished 5^th last season in NCS at 135 lbs.
	JJ Chou (11)- Finished 5^th in NCS in 2010 and 8^th at 152 lbs last season.
	Connor Young (12)- 2x NCS Qualifier at 152 and 4^th Cadet Freestyle State.
	Alex Encarnacion (12)- Finished 3^rd in NCS last season at 215 lbs.
	Gabe Spangenberg (11)- NCS Qualifier at 145 in 2010.
	Romello Monjares (10)- NCS qualifier last season and 6^th Cadet State.
	Marc Wilhelm (10)- Returning DVAL Champion, NCS qualifier and 4^th Cadet State.
	Josh Bowman (11)- Returning letterman.
	Shane Gerhard (12)- Returning letterman. Nick Orpin-Wilkes (12)- NCS qualifier at 189 lbs in 2010. Andrew Reyes (11)- Returning letterman. Brennan Smith (11)- Returning letterman.