While the 'Gades will be without reigning State Champion Jack Murphy, they have several in the mat room giving out advice. 

Co-Head Coach Brett Clark and Assistant Coach Joe Espejo are both returning coaches with State Championships to their names, while Ryan Meloche-another former state champion-returns to BC with hopes to add another banner to the 34 currently hanging in the Eastern Mezzanine of the Gil Bishop Sports Center. 

Coaches Clark and Marcos Austin both feel that Torrey Casper (133) and Josh Davis (HVY) have a chance to make a run at the toughest JC state championship in the Nation. 

Casper is coming off a four year hiatus fueled by the birth of his son and a need to make money to support his young family. 

"I did the right thing, but that desire to wrestle never left," Casper said, "You have this brief window where your body can do battle, and I have to give it another shot. I'm glad for the chance." 

Davis is also living out a story of redemption. 

At the state championship tournament two years ago, Davis suffered a catastrophic blowout of his left knee. The injury required a full year of rehab as well as a donor tendon form a cadaver to reconstruct his knee. Despite having a joint held together mostly by exterior flesh, Davis finished sixth in the tournament. 

"He's an exciting guy," Austin said, "He's more like a middleweight trapped in a heavyweight's body. He's dynamic, and he can score from pretty much any position." 

BC will play host to several opportunities for both stories to play out; they host duals against Victor Valley and West HIlls Friday, September 11th, with the Bakersfield Duals Tournament the following Saturday at 9am. That dual tournament will feature wrestlers from Cerritos and Mt. SAC, two of the most prestigious JC wrestling programs in the state. 

Tickets are available for both events at Vallitix.com.