OAKDALE — In the Valley Oak League Championships on Friday at Oakdale High, Sierra placed 10 wrestlers in the top four – six in second place – to lead a Manteca-area contingent of 21 grapplers into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III boys tournament at Placer High School in Auburn next Saturday.
Sierra’s J.D. Morimoto (106 pounds) came closest to a gold medal, losing 1-0 to Oakdale’s Izaias Sepino. The Mustangs won nine of the 14 championship matches.
Adan Rosas (177) was pinned in the third round by Mountain House’s for another silver medal for the Timberwolves.
“I’ve been out for a couple of weeks because of my injuries,” Rosas said. “Honestly, I was just trying to wrestle my best with the time that I have had.
“I was very fortunate to make it to the finals but couldn’t get the win.”
Other Sierra qualifiers were Sam Perez (second, 144), Randy Euley (second, 152), Christian Anaya (second, 159), Raymond Martin (second, 167), Luis Gonzalez (third, 122), Aryan Kandola (third, 285), Zac Willson (fourth, 126) and Jacob Soares (fourth, 217)
Manteca’s Caleb Kopp (115) finished second.
“I just wanted to come out here and give it all that I had,” Kopp said. “All glory to God.
“I wanted first, but that’s not what happened today. Gotta get back to work and have to work harder.”
Other Buffaloes qualifiers were Miguel Cocio (second, 192), Isaac Alvarez (second, 217), Madden Rattansack (third, 108), Ryder Vasquez (third, 215), Gael Juarez (third, 177), Denne Loureiro (fourth, 159), Luis Rosas (fourth, 152) and Michael Lopez (285, fourth).
East Union qualified Isaac Alvarez (second, 217), Roman Salcido (fourth, 134) and Tyler Bogle (fourth, 140).
There was a girls tournament as well, but it was not a qualifier for next Friday’s two-day Central Regional at Tokay High in Lodi.
Valeria Galvan (192) was trailing Manteca’s Alana Suraylo before coming back for a first-place pin in the second round.
“I have no idea how that happened,” Galvan said, “I just pushed myself.
“I feel like I worked hard for this and it was a mental game and I was trying to be mentally stronger.”
Other top-three finishers for the Timberwolves were Ashley Debelen (first, 122), Nina Limchoa (second, 142), Ameria Vista (third, 102) and Itzanamy Fierro (third, 132).
Manteca’s Elsie Wanjiru (137) picked up a silver medal.
“I tried my best,” Wanjiru said. “today was a good day.
“The vibe was very intense and overall I brought my all.”
Maya Fifita (157) and Liliana Rios (237) finished first for the Buffaloes with Alana Suraylo (192), Susan Joseph, (127), Mandy Martinez (172), Isabella Castillo (117) and Kayla Jackson (107) finishing second and Alisha James (112) and Ashley Arzate (142) finishing third.
Evelynn Ramirez (122) finished third for East Union and Abigail Knowles (112) fourth.
David Alvino (177), Jaed Alcauter (192) and Douglas Tipton (217) all brought home gold medals for the Sierra junior varsity.
