Local squad set for Beast of Junior High Wrestling Tourney on
Saturday.
GILROY – The South Valley Junior High wrestling team has taken down all opponents this year – winning three dual meets and two tournaments to open its new season.
But this Saturday, the local grapplers will face their biggest challenge in the Beast of Junior High Wrestling Tournament at Silver Creek High School. Some top schools expected to compete are from Vacaville, Bakersfield, Tulare, and Santa Clara County.
“We are overdue on high level wrestling at the junior high level,” South Valley head coach Bert Mar said.
South Valley opened its dual meet schedule at home with an 80-3 romp of Chaboya before taking first place in the Nov. 2 Buchser Tournament. When the team returned to dual-meet competition NOv. 12, the locals torched Martin Murphy by a score of 84-3.
“This is a very good team and we look forward to placing many wrestlers in the Santa Clara County Finals on Dec. 12 at Campbell Middle School,” Marr said.
And rightfully so, as South Valley also took first-place honors in its Nov. 16 Tiger Classic and then did not miss a step in a Nov. 19 dual meet against Herman – which the locals dominated again, 80-3.
The South Valley line-up is tough all the way through with 70-pounder Jonathan Ramirez; 75-pounder Martin Gonzalez; 80-pounder Nicolo Naranjo; 85-pounder Travis Sakamoto; 90-pounder Frank Gonzalez; 95-pounder Rudy Maldonado; 100-pounder Jason Romesberg; 105-pounder Allan Hoshida; and 110-pounder Jimmy Prada.
The upperweights are also dominant with 115-pounder Jacob Dexter; 120-pounder Paul Gonzalez; 125-pounder Ismael Gutierrez; 135-pounder Hunter Collins; 145-pounder Austin Gubrud; 155-pounder Luis Albarran; 165-pounder Emmanuel Tovar; 175-pounder Seth Whitney; and heavyweight Andres Barragan.
Following Saturday’s tournament at Silver Creek High, the local matmen host Davis today at 3:30 p.m.; then Bernal on Nov. 26; and conclude with Brete Harte on Dec. 3. The Sectional Wrestling Tournament is Dec. 10 at Andrew Hill High School and the county meet is Dec. 12.
