Chuck Kirman / Star staff Jacob Archibeque, posing at practice, has an unmatched work ethic. "The hardest thing to do is find him a workout partner," says Ventura wrestling coach Mike Gacha.

There is no weight and see for Jacob Archibeque.

Seven months after losing his sophomore wrestling season at Ventura High to a hernia operation, Archibeque put himself through a rigorous summer training schedule that included four hours of running up and down the Larrabee Stadium steps carrying 35-pound weights.

In the latest section rankings listed on TheCaliforniaWrestler.com, Archibeque was listed as the fourth best 171-pounder.

Even though the senior's true weight class is 162 pounds.

With a record of 34-1 entering the CIF-Southern Section Eastern Division Individual Finals last weekend, Archibeque placed second to qualify for this week's Masters Meet at Carter High in Rialto. Archibeque pinned his first three opponents before the end of the second period, won a 15-12 decision in the semifinals and lost to Alfonso Estrada of Perris in the championship match.

Throughout most of the season, Archibeque found himself matched against heavier opponents in a higher weight class.

"We have a philosophy of moving our wrestlers up divisions," said Ventura coach Mike Gacha. "All year we were bumping him up. He was worth six points no matter where we put him."

The challenge was to succeed against heavier opponents while continuing to maintain a consistent body weight.

In 171-pound divisions at many regular-season tournaments, it was not uncommon to find "wrestlers cutting weight from 189 pounds to 171," said Archibeque. "They'll make weight for the meet, then eat again until they're 189 again.

"When I get back to the 162-pound division, I feel like one of the bigger kids in my bracket. I know the discipline and what is necessary to maintain my weight."

Wrestling came natural to him.

Archibeque and younger brother Isaac used to spend hours grappling on the floor of the family house. In a decision that likely saved the lifespan of tables, lamps and chairs, Archibeque's parents channeled their sons' athletic talents to the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura, where they joined the Ventura Bengals wrestling program.

Within one year, Archibeque won a state title in the 100-pound division as a 12-year-old.

"Because I won the state title, it meant that I had to go up to the next age division," said Archibeque. "I had to go against 13-, 14- and 15-year olds the next year. I had to learn new moves to keep up."

That trend would continue through high school for Archibeque.

He was promoted to the varsity midway through his freshman year.

It didn't take him long to prove he belonged.

"When we had some wrestle-offs, I beat one of the seniors," Archibeque remembered. "Everyone was shocked. Nobody gave me a hard time after that."

Although memories of one of his 145-pound freshman matches still brings out the laughter from coaches and teammates.

In the second round of the 2005 Channel League finals, Archibeque was engaged in a double-overtime match.

"I had a massive injury to my nose. Two cotton balls were stuffed up my nose (to stop the bleeding). I must have looked strange," said Archibeque with a laugh. "People still make fun of me."

Stuffed nose and all, Archibeque finished the meet as the Channel League runner-up.

One tournament into the 2006-07 season, Archibeque knew something was wrong physically. His doctor told him that he had a hernia and needed surgery.

"He said that I would take 10 weeks to recover," said Archibeque. "I was devastated."

Archibeque spent the next three months attending practices, watching his teammates from the sideline and accepting any assignments Gacha threw his way. The summer after his sophomore year, Archibeque would spend an hour in the practice room each morning before packing his bag for the Larrabee Stadium runs.

Gacha has thrown all he can at his wrestler in practice.

"The hardest thing to do is find him a workout partner," said Gacha, who gave up practicing against Archibeque after the opening day of practice.

"The best thing that we can do is keep bringing in fresh talent against him."

In what looks like a tag-team wrestling match, Ventura has a drill where 20 teammates take 30-second turns at a wrestler in the middle of the mat.

"We can't equal his skill," said Gacha, "but we can match his energy."

The king of the hill drill takes its toll.

"About four-fifths of the way through it, I do get tired," said Archibeque. "I have to keep telling myself to push harder."

It is his desire to wrestle the extra man or extend practice with another set of exercises that clearly sets Archibeque apart.

So does his attitude.

"After every practice, no matter where I am, he finds me and says thanks," said Gacha. "We could have a two-hour practice that I just wore him out and he'll still thank me."

It goes beyond the good manners instilled by his parents.

"Without him (Gacha), I wouldn't be wrestling like I do," said Archibeque. "My parents always taught me to be thankful for what you have."