Updated: Bakker Really Cooks for Griffins When He Gets Mat Time

(Updated at 11:59 p.m., March 4: Los Alamitos wrestler Austin Bakker lost his first-round match, 17-4, to senior Henry Donahue of Poway and his second match, 7-3, to senior Anthony Tirado of Kingsburg Friday at the CIF State Wrestling Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. To follow the state meet, click on this link and go to bottom of the list.)

###

As junior Austin Bakker waited in the wings last season, wrestling for the Los Alamitos junior varsity team, he knew that if he were given a chance to showcase his skills, he would make the most of it.  

Well, he got such a chance this season and has certainly done just that.

Bakker has amassed a 40-9 record wrestling at 160 pounds this season, during which he became the Sunset League’s individual champion, runner-up at the CIF Southern Section Inland Division individual championships and fifth-place finisher at the CIF Masters Masters Meet last weekend.

“It’s been a tremendous joy to watch Austin this season,” Los Alamitos coach Ken Torres said. “He was on the JVs last season and not one time did he complain. He came to practice every day and worked his butt off.  

“I have been coaching for 25 years and Austin is one of those kids you remember forever. He works hard, does everything that is asked of him, and is good in the classroom. He is a real joy to coach.”

Because of his finish at Masters, Bakker qualified for the CIF State Wrestling Championships that begin today at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. In his first-round match, he will take on San Diego Section champion Henry Donahue.

“I think Austin has a chance to surprise some people,” Torres said. “We looked at his group bracket and we feel that he has a chance to do some damage in that group.”

Bakker arguably was Orange County’s biggest surprise at the Masters Meet, where he had four victories in six matches. But Bakker believe he has been surprising people his entire athletic career.  

“Last season was hard but it gave me the motivation to want to be successful this season,” he said. “The whole off-season I worked on my cardio, weight training and technique, so that when my senior season was over, I could hold my head up high and know that I gave it my all.”  

Bakker (38-9) helped the Griffins win the Sunset League team championship this season.

“Austin came up from JV this year and worked so hard to get where he’s at now,” Torres said. “As coaches, we appreciate how willing he is to listen to us and learn. We couldn’t be more proud of all our kids, but Austin really represents Los Alamitos High School well.”

Bakker said he’s trying to take all his success in stride. “I have to give a lot of credit to my coaches and my practice partner, John Ehrke, for preparing me so well all year,” he said. “I was sad that Gary [Howe] and Keanu [Tom] fell just short of making it to state because they deserve to be there, but I'm going to try and make them all proud.”