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LANCERS PAINT THE TOWN RED
EU rules double dual with Sierra, Manteca
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After Manteca and East Union took turns squeaking out wins over Sierra’s depleted squad Wednesday the two rivals met for the rubber match of the Valley Oak League double dual with the Lancers running away with a 57-12 win to start the VOL season.
“It was about matchups with Manteca,” East Union coach A.J. Reindel said. “The score with Sierra was a lot closer because they gave us a lot of matches by forfeit, but the ones they wrestled they beat us on the mat. Most of our guys got to wrestle against Manteca and our upperweights were pretty tough. We were able to dominate there and score some points.
“I want to give props to Manteca’s Dominic Day. He is a sophomore and came up through the youth program and he did very well, getting their lone win on the mat. Coach (Mark) Varnum has done a good job at Manteca getting their numbers up and being competitive because the matches were not as one-sided as the final score.”
After the Buffaloes and East Union exchanged forfeits to start the match, Day (126 pounds) came through with a second-round pin to put Manteca ahead, 12-6. That was to be Manteca’s lone win of the bout.
“I didn’t really think about it too much,” Day said of his pin against East Union. “It felt good after I won, especially since it is against a rival school.”
The Lancers got two pins in under a minute – Alex Yang (170) in 45 seconds and Nick Sims (195) in 46.
“I played defense at first,” Yang said. “Because I wasn’t too confident in my double-leg takedown.”
Sims tried multiple strategies before getting his quick pin.
“We tied up to start,” Sims said. “I tried to arm chop him and he wouldn’t let me and he wouldn’t let me roll him over, either.
“So I cross-faced him and got my hands lock, pushed back and held my grip.”
Other winners by pin for East Union were Anthony Contreras (145) in 1:04, Jaysen Reindel (285) in 1:06, Joe Luna (138) in 2:21 and Trinidad Diaz (152) in 4:27. Jason Betlej (132), Ruben Gallegos (170) and Ryan Austin (220) all won by decision for the Lancers. 
“We have a lot to work on,” Varnum said. “We knew East Union was going to be tough – they have been coming up for a while.
“It’s always hard wrestling during break, but I think we learned some valuable lessons tonight that we can build on and get better.”
Despite giving up as many as seven bouts per match due to forfeit, the Timberwolves battled both teams close, losing 42-39 to Manteca and 42-36 to East Union.
“Branden Rullan and Vincent Marquez wrestled well tonight,” Timberwolves coach Alex Nuanez said. “We won the matches on the mat, but we are forfeiting way too many matches.
“We can’t keep up when you are giving up seven weight classes.”
Against the Buffaloes, Cami Jarron (106), Rullan (132) and Marcos Sablan (170) all won by pin and Marquez (138) won by points. Day and Tyler Welch (160) won by pin for Manteca.
Sablan and Emir Ali (182) won by pin with Rullan and Marquez taking decisions against the Lancers. Gallegos won by pin for East Union.

Lathrop 54, W. Ranch 22
Lathrop 66, Kimball 6
STOCKTON — Keonnee Linnell (152) had wins for the Spartans in both matches by pin in the VOL double dual hosted by Weston Ranch.
Mysson Harrell (126) set the stage for Lathrop with a quick pin in the opening match. Isaac Blase (195) added two big wins and Mario Ragosa (285) got a big win against the Cougars.
“I’m very happy with the wins tonight,” Spartans coach Vince Garcia said. “The wrestlers wrestled the best I’ve seen them all year. With just enough kids to fill a varsity squad and three JV wrestlers they wrestled to the best of their abilities and looked very competitive.”
Karanveer Singh (113) Jerald Asican (132), Josiah Acosta (160) and Octavio Ruelas (170) notched pins for Lathrop against Weston Ranch.
Against the Jaguars, Alberto Ramirez (138), Jonathan Hernandez (145) and Josiah Acosta (160) all had pins for Lathrop.
The night weighed on the Spartans, as teammate Keannu Linnell is currently hospitalized while battling cancer.
“Everyone’s wins counted at the end,” Garcia said. “It’s was a very special night because the wrestlers dedicated these wins and matches to their wrestling brother, teammate Keannu Linnell,  who’s in the hospital battling cancer. These wins are for you, buddy.”