Postseason run starts now for Day, Buffs’ top wrestler
“Work has many meanings when it comes to wrestling. If you’re just putting in work, it’s minimal effort. If you’re working hard then you’re putting in the work to get to a spot where you can elevate your potential. If you work harder than that, you’re pushing yourself to be the best. ”
Manteca High sophomore Derrick Day is one of the top wrestlers in the 128-pound weight class in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and he’ll get the chance to prove it over the next month.
On Saturday, Jan. 28, Day provided one of the few highlights for the Buffaloes at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Team Duals, recording a pin as Manteca was eliminated in its first match. The Buffaloes were bounced by Vista del Lago of Folsom, the No. 2 seed.
From this point forward, Day competes as an individual at a series of qualifying tournaments, beginning with the Valley Oak League Championships.
Sophomore Derrick Day is the Manteca wrestling program’s top returning wrestler. Last winter, Day advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters meet, losing both of his matches.
Manteca wrestling coach Vince Bordi believes Day has the potential to become a household name at the section and CIF State levels, but he’ll need to commit to a year-round regiment.
“He doesn’t lift weights in the offseason. He takes his summer off. … Otherwise, he would be top 40,” Bordi said.
The VOL Championships take place on Feb. 3 at Oakdale High School and will qualify wrestlers for divisionals on Feb. 11 at West Park High. If Day and his teammates can clear that hurdle, they’ll compete for a CIF State berth at Masters, scheduled for Feb. 23-25 at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.
“He (Derrick Day) is extremely competitive and enjoys the sport of wrestling,” Bordi said. “Derrick is only a sophomore and once he gets a taste of the competition deep in the playoffs, can regroup in the offseason and be ranked top-40 next season. He has done a great job being durable this season.”
The Tower got together with Day and asked him about the upcoming tournaments..
The Tower: What pressure do you feel as a top returning wrestler?
Derrick Day: There’s some pressure that comes with it, such as the bar I set last year making it to Masters. Knowing that I’m either A) make it back to Masters, or B) make it farther. Just keep doing what I do best.
TT: How has your season gone so far?
DD: My season has gone pretty good so far. Had a few wins and a couple losses. It’s been good and I’m hoping to keep that going.
TT: What needs to happen for you to do well at VOLs and Masters?
DD: Definitely a lot of work — a lot of hard work. Work has many meanings when it comes to wrestling. If you’re just putting in work, it’s minimal effort. If you’re working hard then you’re putting in the work to get to a spot where you can elevate your potential. If you work harder than that, you’re pushing yourself to be the best.
TT: What is your wrestling style?
DD: It mainly depends on how I read my opponent. If I read he’s passive, I’ll be more of an aggressor. If I see that they’re being the aggressor, I’ll wrestle more passive and be more of a technique and speed guy.
TT: What impact has Bordi had on you?
DD: The impact he brings as a coach is to keep working hard even if you’re tired, just keeping pushing the pace. As a role model, he shows that stuff can bring you down, but you have to find a way to stay positive.
TT: How does keeping your weight in check affect your everyday life?
DD: It can affect it sometimes because there will be some days that I can’t eat a full-size meal like I normally would. Other than that it’s not bad. It’s something that’s very easy to manage. Keeping your weight below is probably the easiest thing about wrestling, because you drop about two pounds every practice.