Titans' Branstetter Gets His 400th Dual Match Win

It was like so many other matches for the Poway High wrestling team and its longtime coach, Wayne Branstetter – not even close.

The Titans easily handled Rancho Bernardo High 62-7 Thursday night, but this victory had some added significance. It was Branstetter's 400th career dual match win, a figure impressive enough on its own, but when you consider he's coached in just 408 duals in his career, it's nothing short of incredible.

Counting a stint at Channel Island High in Oxnard (1973-78) before he arrived at Poway in the fall of '78, Branstetter is 400-6-2. One of the losses and one of the ties came in Oxnard, and of the five losses here, only one was to a San Diego County opponent.

The 1991 Titans squad competed in an Oklahoma dual tourney that featured many of the best prep teams in the country. Poway went 2-2, losing to the No.5- and No. 1-ranked teams in the U.S. Another loss came in 2000 in another out-of-state tournament, and the other two losses were to California schools, Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana and Rancho Buena Vista High.

Only one high school coach with at least 300 wins can better Branstetter's .985 winning percentage. Russ Cozart of Brandon High School in Florida entered this season with a 384-1 mark. Surprisingly, there are at least 25 coaches, past and present, who have reached the 500-victory plateau, several with at least 700.

But consider the fact that Poway only schedules about a dozen dual matches most seasons, preferring to participate in more challenging multiple-school events such as the Reno Tournament of Champions, in which individual wrestlers  earn points toward a team total.

More duals would have placed Branstetter much higher on the career list, but he didn't enter the coaching field for personal glory, as any parent with a son who's wrestled for Branstetter will attest.

"I've talked to many parents from years past and those who have sons wrestling now, and we are so blessed to have coach Branstetter and (John) Meyers, (Justin) Woodruff, (Andrew) Gharst and (Danny) Almanza as our boys' coaches," said Robin Simmons, whose son Kelly competes at 285 pounds. "They are such honorable, hardworking men and we know these boys are in good hands and that they are truly molded into amazing men."

Poway has claimed 28 of 29 San Diego Section-CIF crowns under Branstetter since county schools were divided into classes/divisions in 1982, and will be a heavy favorite to win another next weekend. There have been 21 top-five finishes in the state meet, including 15 in a row. The Titans won state championships in 1986, 1999, 2005 and 2009, with another four runner-up finishes. Twelve Poway wrestlers have been state champions.

"It's not only about the winning, but we are going to keep winning," said Branstetter. "It's always about working and helping these kids learn to make the world a better place when they leave.

"I don't have to do this, I get to do this!"

Rio Gallegos, a 2010 Poway graduate and wrestler, recently went through Marine Corps basic training. His reaction: "Boot camp was a piece of cake compared to Poway wrestling."

Parents surprised Branstetter with congratulatory posters and confetti when he returned to the Poway High wrestling center Thursday night.

"He was overwhelmed at all the support and recognition, and was very humble," Simmons reports. But that's nothing new for Branstetter, much like the one-sided dual wins.