WATSONVILLE — The Manteca High wrestling team had an outstanding weekend at the Apple Cider Classic hosted by Wastonville, finishing 3-2 in the team duals event despite wrestling just nine, and even eight at times, to finish third overall.
Heavyweight Zack Williams snagged his quickest pin of the season (27 seconds) against North Salinas in Manteca’s first dual, a 42-33 win, then beat the record with a 24-second pin against Harbor in the second round.
The Buffs knocked off Harbor, 42-33 as well.
In Round 3, Manteca won its third straight, 48-29, against Carmel.
Marcus Gonzales laid down a 49-second pin and freshman Edgar Fernandez topped the feat with a 29-second pin.
Manteca suffered its first loss to Ann Soboroato High, which collected four of six wins.
In the fifth round, Manteca fell to Alisal, wrestling just eight against a full squad.
Gonzales was brilliant again, pinning his opponent in just 47 seconds.
The third-place finish in the duals event was the first time that the Manteca High seniors had ever placed in a dual event.
Some of the individual highlights included Charlie Alvitre’s first varsity win, a second round pin against Harbor.
Gonzales finished 4-1 overall, Casey Benson 2-2, Estevan Garcia 3-2 at 171 (normally 160), Evan SHarp 2-1, and Williams was a perfect 5-0.
Saturday, during the individual portion of the event, a number of Buffaloes finished with outstanding marks, none better than Williams who went 3-1 on the day and claimed third place overall.
Gonzales was 4-1 (7th overall), Garcia was 2-2 (6th), and Sharp was 1-2 (8th).
Of the 10 losses Manteca suffered in the individual event, only three were of the first-round variety.
The Apple Cider Classic was formally the Artichoke Classic hosted by Monterey High.
The event was in its first year of existence in its current format and included 12 teams: Watsonville, Ann Sobroato, Greefiled, Pajaro Valley, Seaside, North Salinas, Harbor, Carmel, Alisal, North Monterey County, Sonora and Manteca.
The Buffs finished ahead of the Wildcats in the duals tournament.
