Escalon’s traditional trip to Reno for the two-day Reno Tournament on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 28 and 29 went well, with 19 wrestlers making the trip. Several made it to the second day, said head coach Derek Scott, and there were many wrestlers that put together solid efforts on the mats.

“Of the guys that went out the first day, David Camacho at 220 pounds looked really good in just his second varsity tournament,” Scott said. “Also in just his second varsity action, Aidan Krieger did well at 120 pounds. The most improved was at 145 pounds, Brad Hagglund, he went 3-2, losing his last match in quadruple overtime.”

Five Cougars made it all the way through the first day and on in to the second day of competition.

Finishing in the top 16 were Braiden Vega, going 4-2 at 106 pounds and Livius Seung, going 4-2 at 132 pounds.

“Both his losses were close,” Scott said of Seung battling tough in the tournament.

In the top 12 was Jake Lawrence, going 4-2 at 195 pounds.

“He has medaled at every tournament, we’re extremely happy with how well he has done, especially battling back from an injury,” said Scott.

Bringing home eighth place honors was Rhys Panero, who compiled a 4-3 mark at 138 pounds.

“He beat the number four seed the first day and is getting in better shape, he just ran out of gas the second day,” Scott noted of Panero.

Alex Jimenez battled to a sixth place finish with a 6-3 record at 126 pounds.

“He beat some good kids, got over a few hurdles,” explained Scott.

Escalon’s girl wrestlers both had tremendous showings at the Reno event. Julia Casillas brought home third place honors at 121 pounds, going 4-1 on the mats and Mikayla Vega was the lone Escalon champion, going 3-0 at 111 pounds.

“She pinned the Oregon state champion,” Scott said of Vega taking top honors.

Multiple coaches made the trip to assist Scott at Reno and he said the strong showing of coaches helped make sure each wrestler got plenty of matside instruction.

Wrestlers are scheduled to open their Trans-Valley League schedule against Hughson on Wednesday evening, Jan. 3 and then will host the annual Lloyd C. Engel Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 5 and 6, with competition starting each day at 9 a.m.

“We expect to have 35 to 40 teams there,” said Scott.