In action Saturday, Dec. 6, the varsity Cougar wrestling boys took a trip to the Turlock High School Tournament.

“We got our varsity boys season underway bringing a very inexperienced team to Turlock. We were disappointed in not getting several returning varsity wrestlers out from football this year,” explained head coach Derek Scott. “We graduated six varsity guys along with not getting out three expected starters from last year’s team so we only have a few weeks to rebound. Once it gets started there’s no excuses and the new guys are expected to step up.”

Scott noted that Escalon comes in to the season as the returning back-to-back TVL champions and have won both the team and duals section titles the last two years.

“Every local team wants to give it to the returning champions. We have very little time to get ready,” the coach said.

Escalon took 11 wrestlers to Turlock and Scott said there were several “first time varsity issues” including some wrestlers showing up overweight.

“We have to do things right to have a chance this year and I have to do a better job of explaining what’s expected of them,” the coach said of working with the new varsity team members. “Once the wrestling got started, we had five medals out of 11 wrestlers. I felt we should have had at least two more, probably three with two former TVL champions not placing.”

Medaling and wrestling well was Johnny Van Dyk, taking sixth place in his first tournament in high school at the varsity level.

“We were really happy with his effort and toughness. In his last match he was way down, throwing the guy on his back and making it a match, almost pinning the guy. I love how his effort doesn’t drop when he gets behind,” Scott said. “That will serve him well and we are excited for his future.”

Taking third place at 132 pounds, Conner McDowell wrestled tough as he always does, said the coach, adding that he has to “be more careful in close matches” and finish out each round.

Also in his best varsity performance, wrestling at 190 pounds was Leo Carrillo, taking third.

“This is one weight class too high for Leo and he did a great job,” said Scott. “His one loss in the semi’s was in double overtime. Leo looked tough in every match wearing his opponents down.”

Second place honors were taken by Houston Sizuela, battling tough throughout the tournament, after having to move up a weight class.

“I thought Houston wrestled great the whole tournament,” said Scott.

Escalon’s lone champion at the Turlock meet was Luca Cerasi, wrestling at 144 pounds.

“Dominating the whole tournament, not giving up a single offensive point,” Scott said of the senior standout. “I thought Luca looked really sharp, going hard all three rounds and ever letting up. I was really pleased with Luca’s tournament. He’s been working really hard trying every day to improve his weaknesses and he’s going to have a great season.”

Overall, the coach said, he felt the team had a good showing at their first tournament.

“We just have to get everybody up to speed quickly,” Scott noted. “I’m excited and think we can have a good year but have extremely little margin for error and are going to take some lumps early, but we will get through them by the end of the year.”

The tournament was coached by Derek Scott, Clinton Sizuela and Ray Krieger.