Sports

Town Crier file photo
Randy Jimenez encourages a wrestler at a meet in February. He coached the Eagles for 12 years, the last nine as head coach.

In his nine years as head wrestling coach at Los Altos High, Randy Jimenez had a way of weeding out the wannabes well before the first meet of the season. His conditioning program was rigorous, prompting at least a few participants to quit each year.

But those who stuck with it were rewarded – and not just on the mat. Jimenez, who died of an apparent heart attack last week at age 43, was known for treating his wrestlers like family. Nicknamed “Big Daddy,” he believed in and cared about his kids, always wanting them to do their best.

Megan V. Winslow/Town Crier
Los Altos High’s Gino Vega competes against Homestead Thursday. He won, improving to 18-4.

It’s all coming together for the Los Altos High wrestling team. The Eagles have more wrestlers, more wins and more moxie than longtime coach Randy Jimenez has seen in several years.

“We have four or five outstanding kids, but the team as a whole is doing big things,” he said. “These kids bought into the program, they work hard and are peaking right now.”

The regular season comes to a close this week for the Los Altos High wrestling team, but coach Randy Jimenez expects the campaign to continue for several of his athletes.

“I hope to send five wrestlers to CCS,” Jimenez said of the Central Coast Section championships, scheduled Feb. 27 and 28 at San Jose’s Independence High. “I think it’s possible.”