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Sierra quartet advances to second day of SJS Masters
SJS Masters wrestling
Sierra’s Samuel Perez (right) downed Folsom’s Kai Yi-Berg with a 12-3 major decision in a 138-pound second-round bout. - photo by Dave Campbell

STOCKTON — Four Sierra wrestlers – Samuel Perez (138 pounds), Shaan Jagpal (144), Ashley De Bellen (115) and Natalie Meija (170) – broke through from the first day of competition on Friday in the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Wrestling Championships at the Stockton Arena and will compete today for a chance to go the CIF State Championships in Fresno next Friday.

All wrestlers left are in the consolation bracket and the boys need to win twice to make it to Bakersfield and the girls once. Perez tallied a pin and a major decision before getting pinned and sent to the consolation bracket. Jagpal was pinned in his first match before winning three decisions.

De Bellen was pinned in her first match and then pinned her next two including one over nemesis Sammie Vasquez of Golden Valley. Meija tallied two pins and lost on a major decision.

“I am very proud of this young team,” Timberwolves coach Alex Nuanez said. “To have four moving on to the second day is what they worked hard for all year.”

East Union’s Nico Salcido (132) started off with a pin and followed that with a major decision before losing and will now face a familiar foe in Oakdale’s Jesse Meza.

Lathrop’s Kiana Quintero (120) made it to Masters last year, but not to the second day like she did on Friday.

“This is her second year making it to Masters, but her first time making it to the second day,” Lathrop coach Mitchell Selna said. “In order to go to state, she must win her first match.

“Kiana has been someone who we rely on in big dual meets. She competes aggressively and is eager to make it to the next level. I’m so proud of everything that she has accomplished this season already, but I know she’s not ready to be done yet, and neither are we.”

Quintero won a pair of decisions and lost a major decision.

“I’ve worked hard all season to make it to this point,” Quintero said. “And I know I can do it if I listen to my coaches and go all out. They have prepared me for this, and I’m excited for the opportunity to prove myself.”

Manteca’s Liliana Rios (235) won her first match via pin, was pinned in her match and stayed alive with an overtime win in sudden victory.

Wrestling begins this morning at 9 at the Stockton Arena.