Two of the Gilroy High wrestlers who made the semifinals of the
Doc Buchanan Invitational weren’t exactly surprises.
The big man who muscled his way into the semifinals most
certainly was.
Two of the Gilroy High wrestlers who made the semifinals of the Doc Buchanan Invitational weren’t exactly surprises.
The big man who muscled his way into the semifinals most certainly was.
On Friday’s first day of competition, three Mustangs went 3-0 and advanced to the semis at the prestigous tournament in Clovis, including 189-pounder Andres Barragan. The Gilroy sophomore turned in one of the tournament’s most surprising results of Day One.
Despite being unseeded and overlooked, Barragan notched victories in his first two matches and then shocked No. 4 Zak Parrish Parrish of Buchanan, 10-3, in the quarters.
In contrast, the 3-0 showings by Nicolo Naranjo and Adin Dueñas were pretty much par for the course. The top-seeded Naranjo pinned his first two opponents quickly and then dispatched the No. 8 seed by a 14-1 margin.
The No. 1-ranked 103-pounder in CCS “was just tearing everyone up,” GHS assistant coach Mike Koester said.
If the sophomore advances to today’s finals, Naranjo will likely face Ponderosa’s Justin Durham, ranked No. 2 in California.
Dueñas won his first two matches and then stormed back from a 6-2 deficit to defeat Bakersfield’s Josh Betancur in the quarterfinals.
The 130-pound junior now has quite a task ahead of him. In the semis, Dueñas faces Hughson’s Billy Murphy, who’s not only No. 1 in the state, but also finished second at nationals last season.
As for Barragan, “it’s a huge surprise,” Koester said.
“This is one of the best tournaments in the state,” he said, “and for him to be unseeded and be guaranteed to place is great for him.”
But the hurdle Barragan faces today in Clovis is as tough as it could be.
“The good news is that he’s in the semis,” Koester said. “The bad news is that he faces the state champion next.”
Barragan will square off against Bakersfield’s Jake Varner, a two-time California champ who currently ranks third in the United States.
As for the other 10 Mustangs, six finished 2-1 and advanced to today’s consolation round. That list includes Tim Ibanez (112), Rudy Maldonaldo (119), Austin Gubrud (140), Hunter Collins (160), Daniel Gamez (215) and Armando Gonzalez (135), who was upset in the quarters by Tony Webber of Bakersfield.
Webber, who had already lost to Gonzalez twice this year, won 5-3 this time. All five points came from Gonzalez penalties, including three false starts.
It was a disappointment, Koester said of the upset of the junior, but not enough to spoil a solid first day at the Doc Buchanan for the ‘Stangs.
“All the kids did well,” he said. “I think it was better than expected.”
Rivalry game washed away
Due to the sloppy conditions at Mustang Stadium created by the area’s recent downpour, Friday’s scheduled boys’ soccer match between Gilroy and San Benito was postponed. The game, which was supposed to be the league opener for both teams, has not been re-scheduled.
The Mustangs (7-1-1), off since a Dec. 16 win at Burlingame, should be back in action Wednesday at Palma to kick off TCAL play.
