Prep Wrestling: Poway High’s Torretto to receive Lifetime Service Award at California Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony

By Michael Bower

Former Poway High assistant wrestling coach Al Torretto is being honored with a Lifetime Service Award at the California Wrestling Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday in Laguna Hills.

Torretto assisted Titans’ wrestling coach Wayne Branstetter for over 35 years at Poway. In that time, the program has won over 30 section titles and captured three state championships.

Torretto’s junior varsity teams won 30 league titles and 15 county championships. His freshman teams won 30 league titles and 13 county championships.

Torretto began his coaching career in 1972 at Morse High and was hired in 1973 at Poway, where he continues to teach biology today.

He served under three different head wrestling coaches at Poway before stepping down from the position in 2007.

He has received a laundry list of honors throughout his career, including being named the California Assistant Coach of the Year in 1997 and twice being selected for the CIF Award for Recognition of Outstanding Coaching Achievement.

“Alan is a well-deserving individual,” Branstetter said. “He is a huge reason why we have been so successful here.”

Torretto is just as outstanding as a teacher as he is a coach. He was named the Poway High School Teacher of the Year in 1994 and has many other accolades for his work in the classroom.

Torretto will be honored with nine other coaches at the banquet.