Serrano, Gonzalez, Haygood win only three bouts in 83-0 victory
over North Salinas
GILROY – After wrestling only one match at last weekend’s Five Counties Tournament at Fountain Valley High School, junior Joseph Serrano was anxious for his next bout.
With North Salinas only bringing three varsity wrestlers to Wednesday’s dual meet, Serrano’s chances were slim, but he got one of three bouts by sliding up to the 135-pound weight class.
“I was just ready to get back on the mat,” said Serrano, who lost his first match at Five Counties and since his opponent lost in the next round, had a short weekend. “It’s good getting a match. We’ve been practicing hard. Since I didn’t do good at Five Counties, it was good that I got a match now.”
Serrano dominated at Gilroy High, winning a 16-1 technical fall in the second period. After building a 5-1 lead in the first period, the first-year varsity wrestler scored 11 points in the second period to earn the lopsided victory.
“I didn’t know anything about that guy,” said Serrano of his opponent.
Sophomore Armando Gonzalez, at 130s, and senior Chad Haygood, at 140s, both pinned their opponents in the second period to bring the latest Mustang victory to an 83-0 total.
“The toughest team in our league was Hollister,” said Serrano, who will compete in his first Mid-Cal Tournament, beginning Friday at Gilroy High School and continuing all day Saturday. “I’m hoping I can get a good spot in the bracket, wrestle some good guys, no one too tough, and make it to the next day. It’s going to be a tough tournament.”
The Mustang matmen (2-0 in T-CAL) headed to Southern California for the Jan. 16-17 competition, going up against the elite programs in the state as well as the eventual tournament champions out of Great Bridge, Virginia.
As a team, reigning section champion Gilroy finished in 20th place, scoring 60.5 points well behind the first-place tally of 238 points. Senior 112-pounder Johnny Gurich was the only Mustang to take home a medal, placing fourth after reaching the semifinals and wrestling back.
