The Escalon Wrestling Club, EWC, participated in its second tournament of the 2016-2017 SCWAY wrestling season on Sunday, Dec. 11 at Oakdale High. The Oakdale Wrestling Club hosted its annual Tournament of Champions (TOC) Qualifying Tournament. Nearly 600 wrestlers from all over California came to compete with the middle school age grapplers vying for an entry into the prestigious TOC held later in the season. The EWC was represented by 43 of its wrestlers with an impressive 20-plus placing in the top four to medal and five took home the gold. Nearly 80 youth grapplers from ages 5 to 15 are on this year’s roster with a good mix of returning wrestlers and newcomers to the sport. The entire coaching staff returns to guide the Club with EHS Head Coach Derek Scott as the President and head coach. Scott Page, Eric Rowe and Nate Nash return as veteran assistants and EWC officers. Willie Gonzalez and Larry Lawrence return as the Club’s longest tenured coaches. Dimos Birakos and Russ Gerber as well as some of the EHS wrestlers round out the staff. There are also parent volunteers providing important assistance as well.
The EWC also saw action at the SCWAY tournament at Hilmar High on Dec. 18 with over 35 of its wrestlers competing and 24 placing with six champions. Many are first year grapplers, showing great potential with their early success.
Oakdale TOC Results
5-6 & 7-8 age groups:
Champion: Vincent Reis; second place: Noah Dooley, Ethan Tellez, Xander Birakos (Advanced); third: Caleb Boatman, Luca Cerasi (Advanced)
9-10 & 13 & Up age groups:
Champions: Alex Gutierrez, Gideon Gerber, Sammy Hinojosa, Preston Berhorst; second: Hayden McPherson, Anthony Jones, Ryan Lewis, Frank Rodriguez, Christian Rowe (TOC Qualifier), EJ Lewis, Luke Anderson, Austin Roberts; third: Matthew Freeseha, Jimmy Auble, Sebastian Snow, Logan Dooley, Caleb Boatman; fourth: Tyler Vesper, Thomas Rowe, Alex Jones
Hilmar Results
5-6 & 7-8 age groups:
Champions: Noah Dooley; Xander Birakos (Advanced), Ethan Tellez, Luca Cerasi (Advanced); second: Freddy Velasco, Vincent Reis, Nico Birakos, Josfina Lopez; third: Tyler Bogle; fourth: Griffin Gerber.
9-10 & 13 & Up age groups:
Champions: Gideon Gerber, Matthew Freeseha, Thomas Rowe; second: Sammy Hinojosa, Tyler Vesper, Christian Rowe; third: Rodriguez, Garrison Gerber, Sebastian Snow, Anthony Jones, Logan Dooley; fourth: Cruz Snow, Giovanni Ruiz.
