Mustangs open up TCAL schedule against Palma
Gilroy – After the success enjoyed by Gilroy’s wrestling team last year in the Tri-County Athletic League and Central Coast Section, one might expect the Mustangs to have their eyes on a more significant prize.
Perhaps, but that will have to wait, said coach Armando Gonzalez. Yes, TCAL matches are important. Gonzalez promises that his best wrestlers will compete against league opponents, starting at 6:30pm today during the opener at Palma.
“We’re focused on our league opponents,” Gonzalez said. “We don’t take anyone lightly. Last year, we brought our first team to all duel meets. Our goal is to score 70 points (a perfect score) in every match if we can.”
Gonzalez was thrilled with the team’s performance Saturday during a 42-17 win over Southern California powerhouse Santa Ana. The match was made when Gonzalez contacted one of Santa Ana’s coaches, Tony Gomez, who trained under Gonzalez at Independence in San Jose.
“That set the tone because they are a very good program,” Gonzalez said. “They have good wrestlers but we’re a little more seasoned than they are.”
Gilroy got pins from Jesse Delgado, 103; Nicolo Naranjo, 112; and Hunter Collins, 171.
But the sparkplug may have been 125-pounder Rudy Maldanado, who fell behind early, caught up and used a 5-point move in the final 30 seconds to earn a 10-5 decision.
“It was the most entertaining, competitive match of the day,” Gonzalez said. “It was probably our most satisfying win.”
Gonzalez also was pleased with the performances of first-year varsity wrestlers Vincent Aboytes, 130, and Travis Sakamoto, 135. Each won by decision.
Other Mustang winners were Martin Gonzalez, technical fall at 119; Ethan Ogle, majority decision at 160; Andres Barragan, decision at 189; and Jesse Rogers, majority decision at 215. It was Barragan’s first match of the season.
Another wrestler making his season debut was 285-pounder Chaz Guerrero, who lost by fall. GHS wrestlers Tim Casbury, Austin Gubrud and Fabian Laredo lost by decision.
Looking ahead to the TCAL season, coach Gonzalez said he expects San Benito to be as formidable as ever, and Palma to be a team on the rise under Simon Jimenez.
The Haybalers are “always tough because they get the numbers and have good depth. They’re always big for their weight and always good.”
Gilroy is four-time defending TCAL and CCS champions.
