Nikko Villarreal had just won the match of the day, claiming a triple-overtime showdown between two national-caliber wrestlers in the 138-pound final of the Central Coast Section meet.
But the Gilroy High junior was more excited about his team than his own exploits.
“I love them like brothers. They’re awesome,” Villarreal said. “They’re my second family, and it makes me feel proud of them.”
There was much to be proud of.
Villarreal helped the Mustangs capture their 11th straight CCS team title Saturday at Independence High in San Jose.
Villarreal was one of four individual champions for Gilroy, along with sophomore Jesse Vasquez (113), junior Victor Olmos (126) and junior Paul Fox (132).
The Mustangs won with 210 points, topping second-place Palma by 67.5.
“I’m really proud of my team more than anything,” Villarreal said. “As an individual, I’m kind of disappointed in what I did, but team-wise, I’m really happy. Winning 11 in a row is a big deal for us.”
The top three CCS individuals in each weight class advanced to the state meet, which runs Friday and Saturday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
Villarreal won the 138-pound final with a 3-2, triple-overtime victory over Archbishop Riordan senior Elijah Davis.
Villarreal took a 2-1 lead with 8.9 seconds left in the third overtime when Davis was called for a technical violation. Davis chose to assume an up position in hopes of scoring a takedown, but Villarreal quickly scored a one-point escape. Stalling gave Davis a point, but Villarreal held on for a 3-2 win as time expired.
There was some controversy after Davis had a two-point takedown in the third period overturned by referees, and the match ended regulation tied, 1-1.
Davis angrily ran out of the gym following the bout, slamming through the rear doors. He eventually returned to shake hands with Villarreal and Gilroy’s coaching staff, but later was a no-show for the medal ceremony.
Villarreal is ranked No. 1 in the state by The California Wrestler at 138, and Davis is ranked No. 2. There is a chance the rivals could meet again at state.
“You’ve just got to stay composed (when) everyone’s chanting, everyone’s booing and stuff,” Villarreal said. “The best thing is to stay composed and wrestle the way I know.”
Vasquez won the 113-pound final with an 8-2 decision over Serra senior Elias Hernandez.
Olmos claimed the 126-pound title match with a 9-1 major decision over Gunn senior Eric Cramer.
The 132-pound final went to Fox with a 7-1 decision over Serra senior Jerry De La Rosa.
Gilroy sophomore Mark Penyacsek also qualified for state, winning the third-place match at 170 with a 2-0 sudden victory over Saratoga sophomore Araad Sarrami.
Mustangs junior Lupe Jimenez finished fourth at 145 pounds, and sophomore Matt Penyacsek took fifth at 160.
“I’m happy. They wrestled their butts off and they placed here,” Gilroy coach Greg Varela said. “Not all of them are going to state, but they got their CCS medals. I am happy, but it’s bittersweet. I wish they were all in the finals.”
Now, the attention turns to state.
“The five guys who are going are ready to go. They’re battle tested,” Varela said. “All of them were there last year. I think they’re looking to make a run.
“It’s going to come down to how relaxed they wrestle. It comes down to who’s going to wrestle the smartest that day. Hopefully, it’ll be our guys.”
CHRISTOPHER
Christopher High junior wrestler Jimmie Lopez claimed his second straight Central Coast Section title Saturday, winning the 106-pound final with a third-period pin over Silver Creek junior Alvin Nguyen at Independence High in San Jose.
Lopez built a 12-0 lead before finishing the match with a pin at 4 minutes, 59 seconds.
“It feels good going into state,” Lopez said.
The top three CCS individuals in each weight class advanced to the state meet, which runs Friday and Saturday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
LIVE OAK
Live Oak High wrestler Isaiah Locsin won his third consecutive Central Coast Section title Saturday, winning the 120-pound final with a first-period pin over Saint Francis senior Sean Summers at Independence High in San Jose.
After the match, Locsin dedicated his victory to his late grandmother, Tita Locsin, who passed away earlier this week.
“I want to dedicate these matches to the Locsin family and my grandma,” Isaiah Locsin said.
Locsin, a junior, needed only 55 seconds to pin Summers, a close friend and training partner.
“The finals match, it’s sort of weird going out on the mat because in the offseason, we help each other out,” Locsin said of Summers. “He’s a great friend. He helps me get better. We help each other out.”
Locsin went 5-0 at CCS. Now he’ll try to win his second straight state title.
“It feels great to win the CCS title, especially with the great competition this section has,” Locsin said. “My opponents were very talented and tough. It’s just fun wrestling all these guys.”
The top three CCS individuals in each weight class advanced to the state meet, which runs Friday and Saturday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
Also at CCS, Live Oak senior Derek Peralta finished fifth at 152 pounds, winning the fifth-place match with a 6-1 decision over Archbishop Mitty junior Alex Kerkeles.
SOBRATO
Brandon LeFore became the first Sobrato High wrestler to qualify for the California Interscholastic Federation state meet since 2007 on Saturday, placing third at 160 pounds in the Central Coast Section meet at Independence High in San Jose.
“It’s a good feeling. We’re happy for Brandon,” Bulldogs coach Erik Lupercio said. “He worked hard all offseason, and it showed here on the mat. He lost to the No. 1 seed in the semifinals, but came back and won to qualify.”
The top three CCS individuals in each weight class advanced to the state meet, which runs Friday and Saturday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
LeFore, a junior, won a 10-1 major decision over Saratoga sophomore Christian Murabito in the third-place match to qualify for state.
“He just kept the pressure going, took it to every opponent, took it match by match and attacked everyone,” Lupercio said. “All aspects of his wrestling game were on point.
“He’s very excited. He has a lot of pride in Sobrato and is able to represent the school. It’s a big thing for him, something that he’s talked about all year long, and he achieved that goal.”
SAN BENITO
San Benito High wrestler Robb Rodriguez qualified for the California Interscholastic Federation state meet Saturday by placing third at 132 pounds in the Central Coast Section meet at Independence High in San Jose.
Rodriguez, a senior, used a second-period pin to win his third-place match over Harbor senior Willy Lamacchia.
The top three CCS individuals in each weight class advanced to the state meet, which runs Friday and Saturday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
