MODESTO — With Oakdale covering 13 of 14 weight classes and winning 10 on Saturday in the Valley Oak League wrestling championships in the Mark Gallo Health and Fitness Center, Sierra’s Shaan Jagpal (146 pounds) managed to snag a gold medal with a 12-3 major-decision win over Central Catholic’s Colton Gonzalez.

“At the start today, I didn’t have that drive,” Jagpal said. “I felt kind of weak, because I had to cut to get to 146 and it was a pretty big cut for me.

“In the end, I was just trying to stick to the basics and score where I could.”

The best any other local wrestler got was second place. Manteca’s Josiah Sagapolu (192) was pinned by Oakdale’s Wes Burford in the first round of the championship bout.

“I pictured myself beating Wes Burford,” Sagapolu said. “But it didn’t work out that way.

“The other matches before that were good, but I guess I have to improve before I face him again.”

East Union’s Ethan Patton (128) was pinned by Oakdale’s Eziequel Vela in the second round of the first-place match, but Patton was pleased because he is improving against Vela.

“It was pretty easy to start the day,” Patton said. “I knew that first-place match was going to be a hard match.

“He had beaten me twice and now three times, but I wrestled him better today that I have. I am getting better as each match goes on.”

The top-four finishers advance to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Boys Wrestling Tournament at Manteca High beginning Saturday at 9 a.m.

Advancing from Manteca are Misael Meza (second, 152), Ryan Whincup (second, 159), Sagapolu (second, 192), Ryder Vasquez (second, 287), Gael Juarez (third, 167), Miguel Cocio (third, 177), Gabriel Huizar (fourth, 108), Caleb Kopp (fourth, 115), Brandon Nakham (fourth, 122), Alijah Marshall (fourth, 134), Luis Rosas (fourth, 140), Peter Espinoza (fourth, 146) and Tommy Perea (fourth, 217).

Sierra advances Jagpal (first, 146), James Moritmoto (second, 108), Raymond Martin (second, 167), Ashmeet Singh (second, 177), Luis Gonzalez (third, 115), Zakery Wilson (third, 122), Samuel Perez (third, 140), Randy Euley (third, 152), Aryan Kandola (third, 287), Sean Zapanta (fourth, 128) and Christian Anaya (fourth, 159).

Advancing from East Union are Patton (second, 128), Isaac Alvarez (second, 217), Nico Salcido (third, 134), and Miguel Estrada (fourth, 287).

In girl’s competition, Manteca’s Liliana Rios is giving up 35 pounds at 235, but that did not bother her as she notched a first-round pin over teammate Sevana Saaga to run her record to 30-2.

“I felt really good because this is my first time back after a hip dislocation.” Rios said. “I felt good enough to wrestle and I didn’t think I was going to win.”

Sierra’s Kemelly Mejia (160) defeated Manteca’s Alana Sumaylo with a first-round pin in the championship match.

“I was really nervous,” Mejia said. “But at the end of the day I am proud I joined this sport. I really enjoy the people here.”

Manteca’s Rupreet Dherah (121) won the championship with a second-round pin over Sierra’s Mechaely Vintero.

“Today was good,” Dheraj said. “I was a little nervous but I gave my best and I did food.”

Sierra’s Ashley Debelen (116) notched a first-round pin over Manteca’s Isabella Castillo for the championship.

“Today was just another wrestling day,” Debelen said. “I worked hard and it paid off.”

Also winning gold medals were Alyssa Lopez (131) and Natalie Mejia (170) of Sierra and Manteca’s Elsie Wanjiru (143) and Mackenzie Sandoval (189).

All girls who wrestled Saturday are eligible for the two-day South Regional Girls Wrestling Tournament beginning Friday morning at 9 at Central Valley High School in Ceres. 

Four local junior varsity wrestlers won first place – Dominic Moglie (140) and Teagan Nazzisi (192) of Sierra, Rohan Karthik (159) of Manteca and Brandon Brown (217) of East Union.