Preps: Medina clan still on top

Family continues wrestling dominance

Rumor has it that there's a standing $20 offer in Rancho High's legendary Medina wrestling family for the first brother who can take down four-time Nevada state champion Tony Medina.

So far, neither sophomore Josh nor freshman Jered has tried to collect -- and it's not just because their older brother didn't suffer a single takedown during his final two undefeated high school seasons.

Instead, the young Medinas' reluctance to try for the cash stems from a steadfast family rule that the five brothers should learn from, rather than compete with, one another.

Throughout the 1990s, that attitude has paid huge dividends for the Rams' wrestling team, in the form of two-time state qualifier Andre '94, 1995 state 136-pound champion Jesse '97 and Tony '95, who finished his career with an astounding 154-6 record and state titles at 103, 119, 126 and 128 pounds.

Now, Rancho is again home to a pair of Medinas: 103-pounder Jered and 125-pounder Josh.

And while the pair has been wrestling competitively for less than five years, the tricks of the trade they've picked up from their older brothers and father Al have been more than enough to vault them to the top of the local prep scene.

"It's just a way of life in their family," said Rancho coach Chuck Diller, who has worked with all five Medina brothers during his 21 seasons at the school. "They practice here, they practice at home. Al Medina tries to show kids what life is like through wrestling."

After starting his three oldest sons in the sport at age five, Al -- a former high school wrestling star himself -- initially decided to do likewise with Josh and Jered.

But despite the success Andre, Jesse and Tony enjoyed at the youth level, Al opted to give his youngest sons some time away from wrestling.

"It hurt me to see myself push my babies," Al said. "So I told them, 'Let's take a break.' "

Years later, as they entered their junior high years, Al gave Josh and Jered the choice of returning to the mat.

"I said, 'It's going to take a lot of work if you want to do it,' and they both said they wanted to do it," Al said.

Since that time, the two youngest Medina brothers have done their family name proud, winning at the youth level and now, on the high school scene.

Last year, Josh captured the Southern Zone 119-pound title and finished fourth at the state tournament. This season, the sophomore is 19-1 with a team-best 14 pins.

Jered is close behind, opening his freshman season with a stellar 18-2 mark and eight pins.

Not surprisingly, both brothers credit their family for their success.

"We picked up wrestling again when I was 12, but we've been around wrestling our whole lives," Jered said.

"I've learned a lot from watching them wrestle throughout high school," Josh said. "My brothers come to all the matches, and they always give me pointers."

Josh and Jered also acknowledge that their father has been instrumental in their wrestling achievement, from the hours spent analyzing tapes of their older brothers with him to the early-morning runs from the Sahara to the MGM Grand that he demands.

But Al also is quick to recognize Diller as a consistent factor in his sons' wrestling accomplishments.

"There would have been no other coach in this valley that would have been better for my sons," Al said. "Our family has the highest respect for Coach Diller."

Now, the youngest Medinas would like nothing more than to help Diller earn this season's Sunrise Division title. With several other top-notch wrestlers in Rancho's lineup, that goal appears realistic.

In addition to Josh and Jered, four other Rams have state-qualifying potential: 112-pounder Chase Diller (15-5 thus far), 119-pounder Billy Rosado (16-5), 130-pounder Armando Monarrez (21-1) and 140-pounder Billy Waite (16-4).

Along with the Medinas, sophomores Diller and Rosado represent the future of Rancho wrestling, while Monarrez and Waite are seniors intent on closing out high school with a title.

But when all is said and done, the Rams' longtime coach knows his final years at the school will be measured in large part by how far the final of five Medina brothers can go.

"It's the beginning of an end of an era," Chuck Diller said. "My career is winding down, and a lot of my success has come from this family."

archive