The Escalon varsity boys were crowned Trans-Valley League champions on Saturday, Feb. 3 as EHS played host to the TVL Wrestling Tournament.
The varsity girls claimed second place honors and the JV boys were also crowned league champions in a successful day of competition on the mats.
“For the JV boys, that ends their season,” said head coach Derek Scott.
The JV squad had 149 points, topping second place Ripon by 10 for the TVL title.
Twelve wrestlers hit the mats for the JV team and eight placed.
Champions were Conner McDowell, 113 pounds; Ethan Butler, 150; Logan Wentzell, 165; Cruz Snow, 175 pounds. Second place honors went to Colton Fernandez at 113, Cole McDowell at 132 and Landon Underwood at 165 pounds. Leo Carrillo finished third at 144 pounds.
“For the girls, everyone qualified to the Divisionals; we had 10 girls wrestle and took second place in the TVL,” Scott said.
Livingston won the title with 230 points, Escalon scored 172.
In fourth place for Escalon was Ashlyn Paxman while Angeline Mills and Miroslava Torres each took third. Second place honors went to Sophia Duran, Natalie Martinez and Helena Arroyo.
“We had three champions, Isabella Alcala at 110 pounds, Dani Roybal at 124 and Violette Kent at 135,” Scott added.
All the girls advance to the Southwest Regionals being hosted at Central Valley High School in Ceres this weekend, the top eight from there continue to Masters.
“Our varsity boys went in as the number one seed and we beat second place Hughson to take the title,” Scott said.
Escalon had 306 points in the Saturday tournament, Hughson had 230 and Livingston had 225.
Fourteen Cougars wrestled, all move on to Divisionals, coming up Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9 and 10, at Rosemont. Top four in each weight class there will qualify to the Masters Meet, Feb. 16 and 17 in Stockton.
Taking fourth place for Escalon were Luke Konradi at 106 pounds, Logan Dooley at 165 and Guadalupe Calderon at 215.
Second place finishers were Adam Chaffey at 157 pounds, in his first varsity tournament, along with John Konradi at 175 pounds and Anthony Jones at 190.
“I was really happy that we went 8-3 in the last round,” Scott said, with three second place finishers and eight TVL individual champions.
At 113 pounds, Houston Sizuela was a champion and Luca Cerasi won the title at 120 pounds. He also earned Most Outstanding Lightweight Wrestler honors. Christian T. Cruz was a TVL champion at 126 pounds, Preston Sizuela at 132 pounds.
At 138 pounds, Ben Gonzales earned a TVL title and wrestled a “great tournament,” said Scott, with Matthew Rangel earning a title at 144 pounds and also receiving the Most Outstanding Middleweight Wrestler honor.
“Also dominating, looking the best he has looked this year, was Talan Reider at 150 pounds,” Scott said. “And Frank Rodriguez has really come on strong the last few weeks and was a champion at heavyweight.”
Scott said he and his assistants were voted as the ‘Coach of the Year’ for leading the Cougars to a successful season. He also thanked those helping to put on the tournament as well as the community, school administration and staff, for being supportive of the wrestling program throughout the year.
“It was a good honor for the coaching staff and I was really happy with our eight champions,” he said.
