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Dramatic pins lift WR past Sonora
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Selena Valenzuela and Brendon Curtright pulled out dramatic wins via fall to help Weston Ranch edge Sonora 37-36 in a double dual hosted at East Union on Wednesday. The Cougars also dispatched East Union 66-18 to improve to 2-1 in the Valley Oak League.

Weston Ranch actually beat Sonora via the first tiebreaking criteria: flagrant and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The Wildcats were penalized once during the 152-pound match and it ended up costing them.

It was still a victory that was hard-earned for the Cougars.

Valenzuela set the tone in the opening bout at 106. Trailing 11-1 in the third period, she managed to turn the tables and pin her opponent with 50 seconds to go.

Curtright worked the same magic in his 132-pound match against Kyle Mantzouranis, who led 6-2 in the final period before getting pinned.

“Brendon is one of our leaders, and he understands the scenario that we are an extremely young team,” Weston Ranch coach Pat King said. “We are looking to our senior leaders to give the team a spark, and he and Selena gave us one tonight.”

Curtright won both of his matches by fall Wednesday, as did Andrew Olaya at 126 and Devon Preyer at 152.

Nick McGill (195) accounted for East Union’s lone win against Weston Ranch, doing so with a pin. Forfeitures spotted the Lancers the rest of their points.

Lathrop 37, Manteca 33

The Spartans (1-3) picked up their first VOL win in dramatic fashion, ending the double dual at their own gym with a first-period pin from Andrew Gaynor.

Lathrop needed to mount a late comeback to come out on top. Manteca (1-2) was up 33-18 with four matches remaining. Chris Garcia (113) earned a major decision to begin the rally. Alex Garcia (120) won by fall, and Israel Barreto (126) outpointed Robert Foo 8-4 to set the stage for Gaynor.

Ian Chavez and (170) and Tyler Kerlegan (195) each won via fall, while Enrique Betancourt (138) and Alejandro Torres contributed decision wins for the Spartans.

Manteca received pins from Ashur Kanja (106), Freddy Farias (145), Travis Burciaga (182), Matt Wilkerson (220) and Steven Martinez (285). Jesse Avila won a major decision at 152.

Gaynor and Chavez were the only local wrestlers to go 2-0 in this double dual. Oakdale defeated the Spartans, 51-22. The Mustangs also picked up a 62-18 win over Manteca.