Varsity wrestlers for Escalon headed to the McNair Tournament in Stockton on Saturday, with the JV grapplers going to the Bulldog Duals in Turlock. It was the first action of the season for the wrestlers, many of them just getting some practices under their belts in the past couple of weeks after the conclusion of football.

“Varsity was limited, we still have guys banged up from football, plus the winter formal was Saturday,” head coach Derek Scott said, noting that some wrestlers were busy with that event, leaving the tournament a bit early.

For those that did compete, Scott said Kyle Jimenez showed some real promise at 120 pounds, going 3-1 and taking third place. Trenton Busch, at 138, went 2-1 before leaving for the formal. Cameron DuBois went 2-1 for third place at 152 pounds. Hunter Calton, at 170 pounds, went 2-1 for fifth place and heavyweight Daniel Gonzalez went 2-0 for third place.

“This was their best varsity tournament so far, they only had five days of practice,” Scott said. “We were also very pleased with Kyle and Cameron.”

The JV team compiled an overall mark of 3-2 in the Bulldog Duals, with some solid showings by more than a half dozen young wrestlers.

Rhys Panero went 3-1 at 120 pounds, Livius Seung went 5-0 for the 126-pound weight class. Mark DeHaven was 3-0 at 132, Christian Manzo 2-0 at 160, Travis Nascimento was 4-1 at 170 and Jake Lawrence was 3-1 at 182. At 195 pounds, Daniel Rigg went 2-1 and at 220 pounds, Caleb Aguilar went 3-1.

“We have a lot of real talented young guys,” Scott said of the program overall. “We lost nine starters to graduation, from last year, so we are inexperienced.”

With several preseason opportunities to get in some work on the mats, though, Scott is hopeful the team will come together well and will find the right wrestlers for the right weights.

Going with the JV wrestlers to Turlock this week were assistants Ray Scott, Atom Garcia and Adrian Carrillo, while assistant Jason Robbins and volunteers Willie Gonzalez and Ken Draper attended the McNair tourney.

“For the first week, we were really, really pleased,” said Scott.

Coming up Saturday, Dec. 13, the varsity is scheduled to travel to the Elk Grove Tournament, the JV goes to Beyer.