Jet Sports Training owner Bobby Rodriguez is recognized as a person who loves to give back to the community with many youth-based programs associated with his fitness business.
He is taking that effort a step further, organizing a memorial service in honor of late Sunnyside wrestling coach Don Klostreich on Saturday at the Tucson Convention Center Grand Ballroom at 6 p.m. Additionally, he is inviting all the state championship teams from Sunnyside and district partner Desert View in every sport.
“The Southside community is so closely knit,” Rodriguez said. “This is an opportunity to express that with Coach Klostreich the focus. He made that championship mindset stronger for the district.”
Klostreich passed away in April at age 86 because of health reasons.
He transformed the program at Sunnyside into one of the most dominant wrestling powerhouses in the nation after arriving at the school in the fall of 1973. Over the following 15 years, he built a winning culture defined by nine state championships.
He led the Blue Devils to their first 5A state title in 1979 and followed that with an eight-year run of titles from 1981 to 1988. When he took over, Sunnyside had only four individual state championships. The Blue Devils have now accumulated 205. He coached 40 individual championships.
The Sunnyside dynasty was born under him and it has thrived under the coaches who followed him — Richard Sanchez, Robert DeBerry and Anthony Leon.
Sunnyside’s boys program has now won 39 state championships, including nine consecutively under Leon. The girls won their second straight state title in February under coach William Olivas, a state champion at Sunnyside in 2013 and 2014.
“To win one state championship is tough,” Klostreich told AllSportsTucson.com in 2019. “There are a lot of schools that have never won a state championship and they have some pretty good programs.
“Every time Sunnyside wins a state championship, I get credit for it. It blows me away. I’m happy. I’m proud that my name is mentioned.”
The following are some comments about Klostreich:
Klostreich came to Arizona from a humble background at Minot, N.D. He originally coached football at Carl Hayden in Phoenix but found employment at Sunnyside, which needed a wrestling coach in 1973.
Growing up on a farm, Klostreich experienced poverty, which helped him relate to students and families on the southside of Tucson. His family often lived without electricity or running water in North Dakota. He rode a horse to a one-room schoolhouse.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Jamestown College where he was a standout on the Jimmies’ football, wrestling, and track teams. While coaching wrestling at the University of North Dakota, he earned a master’s degree in physical education, and an additional master’s from Northern Arizona University.
He coached and taught at Minot High School in North Dakota, Carl Hayden in Phoenix; Sunnyside in Tucson; Kofa and Yuma in Yuma; San Pasqual in California; and Gila Ridge in Yuma.
He was inducted into the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the University of Jamestown Athletic Hall of Fame. He earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and was bestowed the honor of Arizona Wrestling Coach of the 20th Century from the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Don also served in the Army National Guard, was a boxer for its North Dakota team, and was a member of American Legion Post #157 in Horicon, Wis.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Faith (Wagener); daughters Traci Cromwell, Holli Bean, and Kelli Klostreich; son Brian Klostreich; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters Dorene Steckler and Diane Klostreich; brother Wallace Klostreich; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Ernie and Leah Klostreich; brother Bill Klostreich; and nephews Jason Klostreich and Page Klostreich.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your favorite local high school athletic program — what Coach K wanted.
SUNNYSIDE GRADUATE BOBBY RODRIGUEZ, JET SPORTS TRAINING OWNER
Rest in peace, Don Klostreich – a man who came to the southside of Tucson in the early 1970s and built a true dynasty at Sunnyside. His legacy goes far beyond championships, it lives in the men he helped shape. Generations went on to become collegiate champions, All-Americans, leaders in their professions, and pillars in their communities. I was fortunate to be part of that tradition at Sunnyside in the early and mid-2000s, coached by Richard Sanchez, Robert Kathy DeBerry and a dedicated group of assistant coaches who carried on his standard every day. So many of us have gone on to do meaningful things in life, and that doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with a foundation. Coach Klostreich built one that will last for generations for many up and coming athletes in Tucson.
MARTHA DABDOUB, SUNNYSIDE ALUM AND LOCAL DIGITAL CREATOR AND REAL ESTATE BROKER
While Coach Don Klostriech impacted many young men, to me he was more than a coach—he was a role model and a father figure. His words were simple, but they stuck with me for life: “Suck it up. Don’t be a wuss. Don’t give up.”
One day at the gym at Sunnyside High School, he asked me, “You know what women are good for?” – – -Reverse Psychology—!
I answered, “A woman can do anything a man can.”
He challenged me: “Really? Can you run to San Xavier Mission and back?”
At the time, I could barely run a mile. But I told him, “Give me a few weeks to prepare.”
I trained relentlessly, pushing myself until I could reach four miles. When I felt ready, I went back to him. He simply said, “Perfect. Meet me at Teton at 4:30 a.m. Don’t wuss out.”
“I won’t,” I told him.
That morning, I showed up. He handed me two water bottles—heavy frozen solid. No excuses, no shortcuts.
We ran from Teton to San Xavier. His stride was longer, his pace relentless. All I could hear in my head were his words: “Suck it up. Don’t be a wuss. Stay with me.”
We reached the mission, ran up the hill to pray, and then ran back. We did it again and again. Then came Sunnyside bleachers. It was one of the hardest things I had ever done—but it changed me. What once felt impossible became routine.
Through those runs, he didn’t just build my endurance—he strengthened my faith and my spirit.
Then one day he asked, “Do you want to learn how to weight lift?”
“Of course,” I said.
He replied, “Rain, sleet, or snow—you better be ready when Brian and I show up.”
And he meant it. Every morning, no matter the weather, they were there. I’d hear his truck, get up, and go.
Coach Klostriech taught me discipline, dedication, and consistency. Because of him, I still wake up every morning to train—carrying forward the habits he built in me.
But more than running or lifting, he taught me how to live:
To be resilient.
To be strong.
To be persistent.
To never give up on becoming the best version of myself.
He taught me to believe that nothing is impossible.
I am not a wuss.
I suck it up.
And every time life knocks me down, I get back up.
“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”
Coach Klostriech, you hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for the lessons, the discipline, and the unforgettable memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.
May your soul be at peace, and may your memory live on in all of us you shaped forever.
CESAR RUIZ, 1988 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLER AT SUNNYSIDE WHO IS NOW A HOME LOAN OFFICER
There were a lot of broken families and a lot of kids that needed something in their lives. He gave us something to fight for.
In a birthday message to Klostreich written last year, Ruiz stated: “You have been a rock of support and encouragement through thick and thin for so many. Your unwavering belief in so many has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams. Thank you for being a great coach, mentor, and friend. You have made a lasting impact on my life, and so many others. I will always be grateful for you. I love you with all my heart.”
ROY TADEO, MEMBER OF SUNNYSIDE’S FIRST STATE TITLE TEAM IN 1979
(Wrestling under Klostreich) was rough. It was tough. If it’s not rough and tough the best is not going to come out of there. If you don’t like it, get out. You get on it or get out. (Klostreich) always pushed us that way. I could see where he was going. There was a lot of discipline and teamwork. It was the can-do attitude. My older brother, Juan Tadeo, wrestled before I did. He always told me, “I did it, you can do it, too.”
FORMER SUNNYSIDE COACH RICHARD SANCHEZ, WHO WAS AN ASSISTANT UNDER KLOSTREICH AND WAS HIS SUCCESSOR
He was real good with taking care of kids and motivating kids. Whatever he told me, I took it like it was written in the Bible.
FORMER SUNNYSIDE WRESTLER SAM PORTILLO, WHO BECAME A HERALDED WRESTLING COACH
We lost a real one, National Hall of fame coach Don Klostreich. There would be no such thing of Sunnyside wrestling if it wasn’t for this gentleman. This man was my man, my Pops & my Coach! First Bobby Douglas (passing), now Streich! Tough year for many of us. I was fortunate to stay with him and Faith Wagener Klostreich on Dr. Martin Luther King weekend. I knew it would be the last time I’d see him. We hugged each other and told each other I love you. that was all I needed. The rest is our history. Rest in paradise, stud! You’ll always be with me.
THOM ORTIZ, FORMER SUNNYSIDE WRESTLER, ASU ALL-AMERICAN AND SUN DEVIL COACH
Native American Proverb: When you are born, you cry and everyone rejoices. When you die, everyone cries and you rejoice.
May Coach rejoice in Heaven.
(Told to the Arizona Republic) He loved the kids and wanted what was best for them. He was dedicated to winning a state title. It took Sunnyside a while. … He looked real serious but he was more of a jokester. He made jokes that nobody got. I’d say, “Can you explain that joke to me because I don’t get it?” If he broke a small smile, he was happy.
FORMER SUNNYSIDE COACH BOBBY DEBERRY, WHO WON 15 STATE TITLES LEADING THE BLUE DEVIL PROGRAM
(Told to the Arizona Republic) He had such an impact on Tucson to the state of Arizona and to the nation. Him doing it under the rules at the time (when athletes had to come from the school’s boundaries) was unbelievable. There are transfers now. … Honestly, in my view, I was just watching the store. I tried to maintain what he had established. I told Sanchez, “I feel some day he is going to come back to the store. I have to keep this up, keep up the legacy.”
SUNNYSIDE COACH ANTHONY LEON, WHO HAS WON 10 TITLES, INCLUDING THE LAST NINE YEARS
(Told to the Arizona Republic) Don Klostreich started the greatest sports dynasty in Arizona history.His impact will forever be felt in the Sunnyside community and beyond. He impacted so many with tough love and the ability to change lives through the sport of wrestling. He will be greatly missed.
Sunnyside earned its 39th state wrestling championship in February. Our Andy Morales has covered the state championship event for more than a decade, the only local sports media member to do that. AllSportsTucson.com is responsible for compiling the following data on the Sunnyside wrestling dynasty.
Sunnyside team state championships
State titles by coach:
Robert DeBerry: 15
Anthony Leon: 10
Don Klostreich: 9
Richard Sanchez: 5
Team titles by year:
1979 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1981 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1982 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1983 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1984 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1985 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1986 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1987 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1988 Sunnyside (Don Klostreich)
1990 Sunnyside (Richard Sanchez)
1991 Sunnyside (Richard Sanchez)
1992 Sunnyside (Richard Sanchez)
1993 Sunnyside (Richard Sanchez)
1994 Sunnyside (Richard Sanchez)
1996 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
1998 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
1999 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2000 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2001 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2002 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2003 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2004 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2005 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2006 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2007 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2008 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2009 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2010 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2011 Sunnyside (Bobby DeBerry)
2013 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2018 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2019 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2020 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2021 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2022 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2023 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2024 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2025 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
2026 Sunnyside (Anthony Leon)
Sunnyside’s four-time state champions
2002-05 Nick Gallick
2002-05 Matt Lopez
2007-07 Mike Moreno
2003-07 Kyle DeBerry
2008-11 Kory DeBerry
2015-18 Roman Bravo-Young
2020-23 James Armstrong
2021-24 Audrey Jimenez
2022-25 Sergio Vega
2022-25 Carlitos Stanton
Sunnyside’s individual state champions
1969
Fred Gomez, 112 pounds
Roger Ball, 145 pounds
1970
Joe Gomez, 123 pounds
1973
George Larrinaga, 135 pounds
1974
Robert Parra, 105 pounds
Dan Palma, 112 pounds
Gilbert Duran, 126 pounds
1975
Raul Samorano, heavyweight
1976
Vince Guerra, 98 pounds
Joe Solorio, 119 pounds
1977
Vince Guerra, 105 pounds
1979
Lupe Peralta, 112 pounds
Fred Cota, 129 pounds
Eddie Urbano, 138 pounds
1980
Eddie Urbano, 138 pounds
1982
Mike Ortega, 158 pounds
1983
Fernando Cota, 108 pounds
Rene Nunez, 115 pounds
Fabian Cota, 129 pounds
John Bracy, heavyweight
1984
Mike Moreno, 101 pounds
George Soto, 115 pounds
Rene Nunez, 122 pounds
Tommy Ortiz, 129 pounds
Fabian Cota, 135 pounds
John Bracy, heavyweight
1985
Rudy Alameda, 101 pounds
Alfonso Cruz, 108 pounds
Fausto Cota, 115 pounds
George Soto, 129 pounds
Tommy Ortiz, 148 pounds
Manny Ruiz, heavyweight
1986
Alfonso Cruz, 108 pounds
Fausto Cota, 115 pounds
Danny Gee, 122 pounds
1987
Fausto Cota, 119 pounds
Raul Chavez, 132 pounds
Mike Cripe, 138 pounds
1988
Cesar Ruiz, 119 pounds
Mark Mejia, 132 pounds
Mike Cripe, 138 pounds
Sherman Moore, 167 pounds
1989
Chris Garcia, 112 pounds
Mark Mejia, 140 pounds
1990
Rene Sanchez, 119 pounds
Micah Fritzinger, 125 pounds
Jose Lopez, 152 pounds
1991
Eric Toraya, 103 pounds
Rene Sanchez, 125 pounds
Micah Fritzinger, 130 pounds
Pey Castillo, 140 pounds
1992
Danny Vega, 103 pounds
Eric Toraya, 112 pounds
Jesus Valdez, 189 pounds
1993
Marco Vasquez, 103 pounds
Danny Vega, 112 pounds
Sergio Lujan, 130 pounds
Joe Moore, 152 pounds
Dago Soto, 171 pounds
1994
Marco Vasquez, 103 pounds
Danny Vega, 112 pounds
Joe Moore, 160 pounds
1995
Marco Vasquez, 103 pounds
Brian Tellez, 112 pounds
1996
Evan Larkin, 103 pounds
Andy Huggins, heavyweight
1997
Eric Larkin, 125 pounds
Andy Huggins, 215 pounds
1998
Willie Bravo, 103 pounds
Ruben Coronado, 112 pounds
Evan Larkin, 119 pounds
Romego Young, 125 pounds
Eric Larkin, 140 pounds
1999
Willie Bravo, 112 pounds
Romego Young, 119 pounds
David Rivera, 125 pounds
Evan Larkin, 130 pounds
2000
Nate Gallick, 119 pounds
Christopher Bravo, 130 pounds
Seabrook Bizzle, 135 pounds
Mike Sallas, 140 pounds
Antonio Sepulveda, 145 pounds
David Coronado, 189 pounds
Matt Montoya, 215 pounds
2001
Eugene Garza, 119 pounds
Nate Gallick, 125 pounds
Toribio Lujan, 160 pounds
David Coronado, 189 pounds
Anthony Rodriguez, 215 pounds
2002
Nick Gallick, 103 pounds
Matt Lopez, 112 pounds
Ricardo Ramirez, 119 pounds
Hector Daza, 125 pounds
Eugene Garza, 130 pounds
Ramses Durazo, 152 pounds
2003
Nick Gallick, 103 pounds
Matt Lopez, 125 pounds
Jaime Martinez, 275 pounds
2004
Johnny Lopez, 103 pounds
Nick Gallick, 119 pounds
Kyle DeBerry, 130 pounds
Eddie Garza, 135 pounds
Matt Lopez, 140 pounds
Ruben “Huero” Quintana, 189 pounds
2005
Johnny Lopez, 103 pounds
Nick Gallick, 125 pounds
Rene Torres, 135 pounds
Kyle DeBerry, 140 pounds
Matt Lopez, 152 pounds
2006
Mike Moreno, 119 pounds
Rene Torres, 140 pounds
Kyle DeBerry, 152 poounds
2007
Paul Garza, 119 pounds
Steven Moreno, 125 pounds
Mike Moreno, 130 pounds
Nathan Vorel, 135 pounds
Raymond Pina, 152 pounds
Kyle DeBerry, 160 pounds
Jerry Ochoa, 171 pounds
2008
Lucio Murillo, 103 pounds
Paul Garza, 119 pounds
Mike Moreno, 125 pounds
Kory DeBerry, 135 pounds
Raymond Pina, 171 pounds
Anthony Pike, 285 pounds
2009
Lucio Murillo, 119 pounds
Kory DeBerry, 140 pounds
Anthony Pike, 189 pounds
2010
Raul Moraga, 127 pounds
Justin Steinebach, 142 pounds
Kory DeBerry, 147 pounds
Manny Aranda, 154 pounds
Diego Bravo, 217 pounds
William Espinoza, 287 pounds
2011
Kory DeBerry, 152 pounds
Cedric Gonzalez, 171 pounds
2013
Juaquin Olivas, 113 pounds
William Olivas, 126 pounds
Gabe Gonzales, 195 pounds
2014
Juaquin Olivas, 120 pounds
William Olivas, 126 pounds
Gabe Gonzales, 195 pounds
2015
Roman Bravo-Young, 106 pounds
Angel Laguna, 120 pounds
Juaquin Olivas, 132 pounds
2016
Roman Bravo-Young, 120 pounds
David Salazar III, 126 pounds
Marco Frias, 170 pounds
2017
Jesse Ybarra, 106 pounds
Manny Garcia, 113 pounds
Roman Bravo-Young, 132 pounds
David Salazar III, 145 pounds
2018
Jesse Ybarra, 113 pounds
Juan Manuel-Garcia, 120 pounds
Vincent Loaiza, 126 pounds
Roman Bravo-Young, 132 pounds
2019
James Brown, 113 pounds
Jaime Rivera, 120 pounds
Rico Robles, 138 pounds
Anthony Echemendia, 152 pounds
Elijah Wyatt, 182 pounds
2020
James Armstrong, 106 pounds
Job Lee, 113 pounds
Jesse Ybarra, 126 pounds
Jaime Rivera, 132 pounds
Sebastian Robles, 145 pounds
Fernando Villascusa, 160 pounds
2021
Audrey Jimenez, 113 pounds (girls wrestling champ)
James Armstrong, 113 pounds
Sebastian Robles, 160 pounds
Rene Fragoso, 182 pounds
2022
Audrey Jimenez, 106 pounds (girls wrestling champ)
Sergio Vega, 113 pounds
James Armstrong, 120 pounds
Carlos Stanton, 126 pounds
Cristian Rivera, 132 pounds
Jaime Rivera, 150 pounds
Job Lee, 157 pounds
Michael Avelar, 165 pounds
Rene Fragoso, 190 pounds
2023
Iliana Castaneda, 107 pounds (girls wrestling champ)
Audrey Jimenez, 114 pounds (girls wrestling champ)
James Armstrong, 120 pounds
Sergio Vega, 126 pounds
Carlos Stanton, 132 pounds
Cristian Rivera, 144 pounds
Job Lee, 157 pounds
Mike Avelar, 165 pounds
Nicholas Pina, 175 pounds
2024
Audrey Jimenez, 106 pounds
Sean Archuleta, 126 pounds
Sergio Vega, 144 pounds
Carlos Stanton, 150 pounds
Victor Gonzalez, 157 pounds
Nicholas Pina, 165 pounds
Lucas Mata, 190 pounds
Zayne Candelaria, 285 pounds
2025
Sergio Vega, 144 pounds
Carlos Stanton, 150 pounds
Nicholas Pina, 165 pounds
Zayne Candelaria, 285 pounds
2026
Jack Thrush, 106 pounds
Malik Hoskins, 113 pounds
Jaylean Alfaro, 138 pounds (girls wrestling champ)
Xavier Chavez, 150 pounds
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