While their older counterparts continue to improve on the mats, the La Jolla Junior High wrestling team is also making a name for itself this season. The younger Vikings under the direction of coach Joe Sauriol have some 30 wrestlers on the roster, and have already competed in five San Diego Imperial Kids Wrestling Association (SDIKWA) Tournaments. According to one of the coaches, Everett Roach, the kids are rapidly gaining experience, improving and getting tougher each week along with bringing home some medals. Some of the regular wrestlers are Carson Sauriol, Everett Roach, Aaron Creswell, Eric Johnson, George and Arthur Champion, Tristan Macelli, Aaron and Casey Granfors, Gabriel Sanders, Trevor Scully and Luka Stojic. “Our goal is to bring the culture of wrestling to La Jolla,” Coach Joe Sauriol said. “We want to start the kids early and have them feed right into the high school program to help make La Jolla High a force in the San Diego wrestling community. We are grateful for the coaches and kids at La Jolla High School for helping make the junior Vikes program a success. “Wrestling is a tough but fair sport. It’s a terrific character builder for our young boys and girls.” For more information, visit www.ca-usaw.org/assn/sdikwa.html.