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Senior David Burnett has helped lead the Zama American Trojans to two dual-meet victories so far this season, their most since 1989-90. Burnett is the defending Far East Tournament heavyweight weight-class gold medalist.

Senior David Burnett has helped lead the Zama American Trojans to two dual-meet victories so far this season, their most since 1989-90. Burnett is the defending Far East Tournament heavyweight weight-class gold medalist. (Greg Tyler / S&S)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Gradually, the Zama American Trojans wrestling team continues its journey from doormat to contender.

On Wednesday, defending Far East heavyweight champion David Burnett and the Trojans edged Yokota 28-26. The team also logged a dual-meet victory in December over Christian Academy In Japan — the first time since 1989-90 that Zama has won two regular-season dual meets in one season.

“I feel great about this team,” said coach Ian Harlow of his senior-laden squad.

“It’s exciting. I think they have a good chance, individually and as a team, at Far East” next month, also at Yokota.

Burnett capped the dual meet by pinning Yokota freshman Randall Pelletier in 1 minute, 56 seconds, giving Zama its second regular-season dual-meet victory over Yokota.

The previous week, Zama finished 13 points behind Nile C. Kinnick in the E.J. King Invitational at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan — the closest the Trojans have come to winning a tournament in 15 seasons.

Veteran Nick Villasana (148 pounds) also scored a pin and senior Anthony Garcia (129) earned a technical fall.

“Their performance has been what I expected up to this point,” Harlow said.

“They’ve picked up their style, they have their goals set and they’re trying to reach those goals. I’m proud of the way they’re wrestling and the way they’re leading this team.”

Newcomers who’ve impressed include senior Chris Johnson.

“I knew right off the bat he was going to be a good wrestler,” Harlow said.

“Good athlete, strong, well-built, hard worker, never gets down on himself when he loses but turns right around and gets back to it.”

Other coaches also have noticed Zama’s strides.

“Coach Harlow has done so much with his team and really turned Zama wrestling into a great program,” Yokota assistant coach Brian Kitts said.

Zama’s improvement also raises the question of how far the team can go. Harlow and the Trojans have four more regular-season dual meets, three more invitational tournaments and the Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools championship on Feb. 12, leading into Far East.

“We’re hoping they peak at the right moment, which is Far East,” Kitts said.

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