Escalon wrestlers have kept up a hectic pace the past couple of weeks.
Wednesday, Jan. 14 featured a Trans-Valley League dual meet against Hilmar for Senior Night.
The JV boys got the action started as they prevailed 27-12. Big wins were provided by Jimmy McDowell, Matthew Fiori and Devin Techeira, said head coach Derek Scott.
There were eight seniors honored, along with their parents, in ceremonies prior to the varsity competition.
Senior girls, all four of whom were Masters qualifiers last year, were recognized and included Melanie Carrillo, Aislinn Ingles, Yahaira Munoz and Angeline Mills.
“Sadly, Aislinn’s season ended with a major knee injury,” Scott said.
The girls did go on to win their dual against Hilmar by a score of 48-12 with Munoz and Mills getting the big wins on the night.
The girls were followed up by the varsity boys. Seniors honored for the boys were Ezekiel Garcia, past TVL champions Preston Sizuela and Logan Wentzell, along with three-time TVL champ and three-time Divisionals finalist Luca Cerasi. Scott noted that Sizuela’s season has also been ended as a result of an injury.
“The varsity team led by the seniors won by a score 59-18,” said Scott.
Wins by Cerasi and Wentzell were followed by wins by Jonny Van Dyk, Jacob Morales, Houston Sizuela, Conner McDowell and Josiah Becerra.
“Mr. (Seth) Davis and ASB made the night a memorable occasion with a fire show and the students throwing shirts in the crowd. We would like to thank the parents and the community for making it a great event on our last home meet for the seniors,” Scott said.
San Ramon Tournament
Saturday, Jan. 17
Varsity boys and girls took part and Scott said there were six medalists among the varsity boys.
Freshman Jimmy McDowell took seventh and freshman Jonny Van Dyk earned a fifth place finish. Taking fourth place was Jacob Morales, while third place honors went to Luca Cerasi and Leo Carrillo.
“Luca had one bad match where he got off to a bad start but looked great in the rest of them. He will be fine in the playoffs,” explained Scott. “We’re really pleased with the development of Leo Carrillo. Leo is gaining confidence and will be a force in the playoffs.”
Taking second place was Conner McDowell.
“Conner is finally getting into wrestling shape and it’s starting to show,” said Scott.
Hughson Dual Meet
Wednesday, Jan. 21
The JV team went in with only five grapplers and had to win at least four matches to have a chance, said Scott.
“Hughson decided to only count wrestled matches. We went 2-3 losing the dual 18-12,” Scott added, with the wins by Matthew Fiori and Devin Teicheira.
The varsity girls wrestled a tough match and ended up winning 29-18.
“Big wins for us came from Yahaira Munoz and Angeline Mills,” Scott said, with the girls improving to 4-0.
Finally, the varsity boys went in with a very inexperienced lineup due to injuries this year and “needed an inspired effort to overcome forfeits to win the dual against the also 4-0 Huskies,” Scott said.
But they didn’t wrestle as well as needed and fell by a 46-32 final to host Hughson.
“They just out toughed us, simple as that,” said Scott.
Lost in the disappointment of their first TVL defeat of the season were “great performances by Jimmy Mc Dowell, Jacob Morales, Luca Cerasi, Logan Wentzell, and Leo Carrillo,” the coach noted.
The Cougars face off next in league against Ripon, also 4-1, so it will be a key match in terms of postseason placement.
Rumble in the Jungle
Pitman High School
Saturday, Jan. 24
The team brought a scattered lineup for the last tournament of the year, leaving home many wrestlers, resting them for playoffs or healing from injuries or match counts. All three teams brought wrestlers.
“The highlight for the JV group was Remington Meir ahead 4-2 in the third round to get a medal. He ended up losing but I thought it was the best match for the JV on the day,” Scott said.
The varsity girls saw every wrestler earn a medal. Melanie Wright took seventh place at the event. Then in her best tournament of the year, taking sixth, was Trish Freitas. Continuing to get better and get ready for playoff runs, taking fourth place were Yesenia (YaYa) Marsellis and Yahaira Munoz.
“Yahaira fell just short in a great third and fourth place match. Continuing to wrestle tough, getting ready for her final postseason run was Angeline Mills, taking third on the day,” added Scott.
Having her best match of the year in the semifinals to make the finals and taking second on the day was Miroslava Torres. Showing huge improvement on the year, really getting dialed in and winning the tournament, was Sofia Duran.
“Sofia destroyed everyone she wrestled. Beating a highly ranked girl in the finals,” Scott said.
On the boys side, Escalon took six wrestlers and had three medals. Jimmy McDowell wrestled well, getting his second medal in a row, and taking third place, showing a lot of heart coming from way behind in his last match, was Houston Sizuela.
“In his best match and tournament of the year, Conner McDowell beat a state ranked kid from Pitman in the finals to take first place at the tournament. That was a great win for Conner. He’s been struggling a little bit this year and needed this,” Scott pointed out. “He and his family have been dealing with a very sad family issue … I’m so happy to see something like this happen for him … it was a great match and shows him what he can do when he’s focused.”
