Patrick Henry High School’s wrestling program is entering the season with championship expectations and a growing pipeline of athletes developing through youth programs, summer camps and high school competition.
The program produced seven CIF placers in 2026, including champion Ethan Vinoray. Three Patrick Henry wrestlers also won league titles: Vinoray at 125 pounds, Abdullah Alshami at 132 pounds and Alistar Santos at 138 pounds.
The results are part of a larger effort led by head coach Sam Litvin to expand wrestling beyond the high school team and make the sport accessible to more San Diego students.
“We’re always gunning for a league title, city title, and to be top five at CIF,” said Litvin.
Patrick Henry’s 2026 CIF placers included Vinoray, Ayden Ventura, Aubrey Lund, Alshami, Nicholas Arambula, Maverick Garcia and William Soares. Vinoray also placed sixth at Masters and was ranked 13th in the country.
The growth of Patrick Henry’s program is especially evident in its girls’ team. What began with approximately four or five wrestlers has expanded to as many as 20 girls trying out this season.
That growth has also produced results. Aubrey Lund and Maverick Garcia both placed at CIF in 2026. Lund, a senior, has qualified for CIF three consecutive years and is entering her fourth appearance. She is currently ranked fifth in the state, according to Litvin. Garcia, a junior, is ranked among the top 15 to 20 wrestlers in San Diego. Both wrestlers are trained by Coach Nia Hamill.
The development of Patrick Henry wrestlers begins before they reach high school through Kumeyaay Trails Wrestling Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth organization that practices in the Patrick Henry wrestling room.
The club serves boys and girls ages 7 and older in Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, San Carlos and the College Area. Its programs are designed for beginners as well as experienced wrestlers, with an emphasis on confidence, discipline, resilience and long-term development.
Litvin said, “more than 200 children have gone through the youth program since it began approximately three years ago.”
For Litvin, the value of wrestling extends beyond competition. He said the program aims to help students improve academically, compete in college and become successful adults.
The program’s community focus will be especially visible through two tournaments scheduled for November.
On Nov. 21, Patrick Henry will host the third annual Peter Gidlund Novice Tournament. The event is named for a former student who died after struggling with depression and is intended to raise awareness about mental health. It is designed for wrestlers who have never competed before and includes both boys and girls.
A few days later, Patrick Henry will host its first varsity tournament. The event will use a dual-meet format and a country-western theme, with East County competing against nine other teams. Boys and girls will compete as part of the same event, an arrangement Litvin said is unusual in wrestling.
As the team grows, Litvin said additional funding, coaches and facilities will be necessary to support the athletes. The youth club’s nonprofit structure helps provide equipment, tournament expenses and scholarships for families who need assistance.
The long-term goal is to create a pathway that begins with a first practice and can lead to high-school championships, college wrestling and opportunities beyond the sport.
You can learn more about the program and upcoming tournaments at henrywrestling.com
