Thrown To The Wolves

The Laguna Beach High School wrestling program was honored to be featured on the front page of the Laguna Beach Independent's Christmas issue , Dec 26, 2025, which recognized the program’s growth, competitive success, and the cultural momentum this season. For a small coastal program competing in one of California’s toughest wrestling environments, the recognition highlights more than just its results; it reflects a program building its identity within the city of Laguna Beach and strengthening its community both on and off the mat.

The program invites new students, families, and supporters to join that journey. Whether they’re interested in joining the wrestling team or supporting from the sidelines, there’s a place for everyone in Laguna Beach wrestling.

Competing Without the Advantage of Size

As noted in the article, wrestling in California is not divided by school enrollment. Laguna Beach wrestling regularly competes against programs with more than five times its size. This season’s roster of 22 wrestlers, the largest in program history, embraces that challenge. The team includes a mix of first-year wrestlers learning the sport and experienced athletes advancing deep into brackets, creating a culture built on team spirit, immense effort, and a trajectory of growth driven by a love for the sport. 

Rather than seeing size as a limitation, Laguna Beach Wrestling uses it as motivation. According to head coach Barron Zepeda, competing against larger programs is not a disadvantage, but a necessary part of growth. Facing elite competition early on forces his athletes to develop faster, build mental toughness, and learn how to compete under pressure. Each match is treated as an opportunity to improve and gain experience.

State-Ranked Success and Strong Leadership

The article highlights juniors Alek Ramirez and Xavier Brooks, both of whom earned state rankings through consistent performances at highly competitive tournaments. Coach Zepeda emphasized that their success is the result of disciplined preparation, commitment to training, and attention to detail, habits expected from every athlete in the wrestling room.

Leadership Rooted in Experience

Head Coach Barron Zepeda, a Laguna Beach High School wrestling alumnus, graduated as the most decorated wrestler in the program's history. A business student at Saddleback College, he returned to the program with a clear understanding of what was missing and a vision for its future. Having competed for Laguna Beach himself, he understands the demands of the sport both on and off th emat, and the responsibility entrusted to him in representing Laguna Beach High school.

Under his leadership, the team mindset remains consistent: prepare fully, compete fearlessly, and welcome tough competition.

The program’s willingness to be “thrown to the wolves” is intentional and central to its development.

In the News: “Thrown to the Wolves”

Written by Alicia Venter and published by LB Indy on Dec 26, 2025, the feature offers a glimpse at the athletes, coaching mindset, and competitive landscape shaping the 2025–26 season of LBHS Wrestling.

Read the full article here: ‘Thrown to the Wolves’: Laguna Beach High School Wrestlers Reach New Program Heights