Manteca freshman Breanna Bragg is a win away from entering the medal rounds at the California Interscholastic Federation Wrestling Championships.
On Friday, staved off elimination with three straight victories, two against higher-seeded opponents in the 110-pound division at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield. It’s an impressive bounce-back run after the 32nd-seeded Bragg drew No. 1-ranked Christina Estrada of Buchanan in the opening round on Thursday.
She started Day 2 with a 2-minute, 42-second pinning of No. 16 Maya Avila of Granada Hills, building a 12-1 lead on points before finishing her off. She then edged No. 18 Emily Yeung of Dougherty Valley 8-5, scoring a late reversal for some needed breathing room.
Bragg left no doubt in her final match of the day, as she trounced No. 41 Malalka Batdorf of Pioneer in a 14-0 major decision.
Standing in Bragg’s way of the medal rounds is fourth-seeded Caroline Collins, a senior from Carlsbad who was dropped to the consolation bracket with a quarter final loss. The winner advances to the final eight, which assures a medal for the remaining contestants. Bragg can place as high as third with four consecutive wins today.
Fellow Buffalo Liliana Rios was eliminated on Friday, finishing 2-2 in the 235-pound circuit. A returning state qualifier, No. 22 Rios started day 2 of consolation action with a dramatic 3:47 pinning of No. 44 Madison Vandiver, who built a 5-0 lead until a four-point reversal changed everything.
Rios’ tournament run ended with a 7-0 decision loss to Freedom’s Samyra Abraham.
The fourth round of consolation action begins today at 9 a.m.
BOYS GOLF
East Union 229, Lathrop 266, West 335
East Union’s Cody Camarena and Lathrop’s Brayden Beckman were the top performers in the non-league tri-meet, as they each carded a 41 at Tracy Golf & Country Club.
Michael Pires trailed the co-medalists by a stroke. Tiago Chandinha chipped in a 47, and Chase Kalin a 49.
Following Lathrop was Raphael Iniguez with a 47 and Ryan Cabanting and Jasjeet Batthal and each had a 57.
