A year ago, Frank Bell was nearly an automatic win wrestling in the 171 pound weight class for coach, Gabe Ruiz and his Bonita Vista High Wrestling Team. Bell muscled his way to league, conference and CIF titles before he was finally stopped just short of reaching his goal of qualification for the annual state tournament. Bell saw his dream derailed with a third place finish in the 2009 Master’s Tournament. This year he has bulked all the way up to the 215 pound division, but his goal remains the same: qualification for a trip to Bak-ersfield for the state finals.

   “I have been here four years now and every year I have worked a little harder,” Bell said while taking a break from training. “When I arrived here, the seniors who were here then used to tear me up. Since last year I have been trying to put on as much weight as possible by working hard, lifting weights and taking protein (supplements). Now I feel it is my time.”

   Last season, Bell was an impressive 48-7 and was one of the five Baron wrestlers named to the All-Mesa League Team. This talented quintet was largely responsible for propelling the powerhouse blue and gold to their latest in a string of league championships.

   Reaching the state tournament would be a major achievement for Bell. Standing in his way is Endhyr Mesa, West Hills High’s superb 215 pounder. Mesa qualified for the state tournament last year and defeated Bell earlier this season at the El Cajon Tournament. While Bell knows that he will have his work cut out for him, he is very much looking forward to their rematch.

   “My Mom videotaped that match so I will be going over it to see what I did wrong. That is going to be a good one both at the CIF Tournament and at the Master’s,” Bell predicted.

   Bell is off to another fast start. He placed fifth recently at the prestigious, nationally rated El Cajon Tournament.

   Bell’s coach, the aforementioned Gabe Ruz, represented Mexico in the 1968 Olympics, so he knows wrestling and he likes what he sees in Bell.

   “Frank is very aggressive. His aggressiveness is really getting him through. As long as he keeps that going he will be alright,” Ruz said.

   Bell claims he doesn’t have great technique or an overabundance of fancy moves.

   “I don’t have that much technique, but I am pretty good all-around. I think it is just my positioning. I do what I know and I do what works and that is about it. I have about 10 different set-ups from each position. I have gotten stronger every year and my speed has steadily improved too. I guess you could say that I have improved in every aspect of the sport.”

   What remains to be seen is if Bell has improved enough to grab one of those coveted spots in the state tournament.