Several members of the Escalon Wrestling Club attended the Zone II Championships at Oakdale High School in late February.

With over 400 in attendance from three different zones all trying to get in the top six to qualify for the SCWAY state meet, EWC had its work cut out for them. EWC had 10 wrestlers attend and seven qualified to the state meet.

State qualifiers were: taking fifth place, first time qualifier Jimmy McDowell in the 7-8 year old division; taking fourth was two time State qualifier Frankie Rodriguez in the 13-15 year old division. Qualifying to state via an impressive third place finish was two time state qualifier Noah Dooley and five time state qualifier, three-time state placer Houston Sizuela both in the 9-10 year old division.

Earning a hard fought zone II runner up finish after losing his first match then winning all the rest was two time state qualifier Daulton Shinn. Also earning a hard fought runner up honor and getting applause from both sides of the crowd in the finals was six time state qualifier and three time state placer Luca Cerasi in the 11-12 year old division.

EWC’s lone champion was Conner McDowell in the 11-12 year old division. “Conner’s a blast to watch,” noted Coach Derek Scott “He just goes hard.”

EWC will now get its wrestlers ready for the state tournament, coming up March 22 through 24.