The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
If at first it doesn’t work, try again.
That is what the Wilson Bruins will be doing this flag football season. After trying to rebuild his team last year, Head Coach Duane Haldeman is starting fresh again this time around.
“The majority of those players we brought in [to previously rebuild] are no longer with us,” Haldeman said. “We rebuilt the team again.”
Just as he has done the previous two seasons, Haldeman’s team is set up with a bunch of freshmen players coming in to join the Bruins. In the past, Haldeman has dedicated the majority of his time teaching these young players in their first-ever season of flag football.
But, this year is different. Haldeman has his own version of the “Fab Five” down on 7th Street.
“Our core players for varsity, again, are freshmen,” Haldeman said. “But, I have what I now call the ‘Fab Five’ on my varsity team this year, I have five freshman girls to rely on.”
The Fab Five will be made up of Kira Ines, Isa Lahera, Elly Guzman, Sofia Pimentel and Katherine Ramirez. Ines will serve as one of the team’s captains in her first year, as voted on by her teammates.
“I think it’s really important at a young age to be a leader and help the team a lot,” Ines said. “Especially as someone really young who can use their voice to bring each other up, I think it’s super important.”
Ines joined the Bruins in the spring playing for their club team when she was just 13 years old. Haldeman said her talent spoke for itself after she faced off against his varsity players.
“We knew then that she was a superstar in the making,” Haldeman said. “She’s the type of player that can take it to the house pretty much any time.”
Ines has already shown incredible success on offense, but Haldeman said she’s a threat wherever she is. Through the spring and the summer, she has already scored lots of touchdowns while making some big plays on defense.
“She has blazing speed, she can throw, she can run, she can catch, she’s an excellent flag puller, she’s also a punter,” Haldeman said.
This young talent will be crucial for the future of Wilson flag football. Not only is Haldeman rebuilding his varsity squad, but he is in the process of rebuilding his entire program.
“We have replaced just about every player, not just on varsity, but JV as well,” Haldeman said. “So, we have almost a brand new set of players for both levels this year.”
While this young talent will be fresh and exciting, there are some core returners that will step into big leadership roles this year.
All-Moore League first-team player Noemy Najera is in her sophomore season with the Bruins, alongside All-Moore League second-team player Alexis McLaurin who is entering her senior year.
Najera was Wilson’s starting quarterback last year, but Haldeman is looking to use her wherever he can. As a point guard for the Bruins’ basketball team, Najera’s athleticism will come in handy as she moves around the field.
Haldeman said Najera’s already had some early success as this year’s starting punter, but you can expect to see her play receiver, defensive back, corner and pretty much anywhere else you can think of.
McLaurin comes from a strong athletic bloodline. Her cousin is Terry McLaurin, a wide receiver for the Washington Commanders, and her brother, Xander McLaurin, is attending Cal Poly SLO on a baseball scholarship.
“If you wanted the blueprint of an example to show young kids about how to be the ultimate team player and leader, all you have to do is just watch her,” Haldeman said of his senior captain. “She exemplifies everything that you would want in a leader, and she’s an amazing athlete as well.”
Haldeman said these returners are extremely versatile and will be important all over the field, no matter what position they play. Senior Katelyn Pong is another valuable, versatile returner, and the only player who has been on the team since the first year.
“She’s the heart and soul of this team,” Haldeman said. “She’s a standout player. She’s the glue that holds this team together.”
These returners are extremely important on the field, especially with their ability to rotate into any position. But, they’ve also been extremely important off the field as well, bringing the Bruins together despite the different levels of experience and skill.
“I definitely look up to the older players,” Ines said. “They really help me and push me to do even better.”
Haldeman said he’s already seen a change in the culture with this year’s Wilson squad. He can tell his team wants to win, and is optimistic that they will prove that they can.
“There’s no denying the body language and the togetherness of our team, and so we’re very confident that we can get it turned around,” Haldeman said.
With a young team, Haldeman knows that he can’t expect immediate success – there still needs to be crucial time to grow and learn. But, he is already expecting more wins this year and knows that his team will be a competitive force on the field.
“We expect to be very much better, but we’re still really young,” Haldeman said. “We don’t have a really large roster, but these girls really work hard, and that’s one of the things that has been such a blessing this year.”
The Bruins have already been playing in games and tournaments throughout the summer. As the school year ramps up, Wilson will face their first Moore League opponent when they play at Lakewood on Aug. 27.
