The Central Coast Section’s No. 1-ranked Gilroy High wrestling team traveled south to face No. 8 Alisal for the Tri-County Athletic League dual meet opener for both squads Wednesday night. The Mustangs, who have gone the past nine seasons without losing a TCAL dual meet, kicked off year 10 with a 49-21 win over the Trojans to keep that streak in tact.
“It was a good win,” GHS head coach Greg Varela said. “The guys did well.”
A span of seven straight match victories began with a 7-2 decision from freshman Jesse Vasquez at 113 pounds and concluded with a tech fall win from senior Willie Fox at 152. In between those two, Leif Dominguez (pin, 120 pounds), Victor Olmos (pin, 126), Daniel Barboza (132, tech fall), Aaron Gonzalez (138, pin) and Niko Villarreal (pin, 145) secured Gilroy points. Mark Penyacsek (182), Frank Martinez (220) and heavyweight Jose Lara also had wins. Varela pointed out the performance of freshman Matthew Penyacsek, who battled the section’s No. 2-ranked wrestler in the 160-pound division Jovan Villalobos. Tied with Villalobos 2-2 in the third, Penyacsek eventually lost by pin.
Paul Fox, Willie Fox, Villarreal, Lara and Olmos head to the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions this weekend, while the rest of the varsity team is entered into a tournament in Los Banos.
• The Christopher High varsity wrestling team cruised in its Monterey Bay League debut, defeating host Monterey 51-15 on Wednesday night.
The Cougars, who are currently ranked No. 10 in the CCS, received forfeit point in five straight matches to open the dual, cruising from there for their second dual win of the season. CHS also beat San Benito in come-from-behind fashion in a non-league encounter earlier this month.
On Wednesday, the Cougars added to their team points with a victory via pin at 126 pounds from Raul Meza, decision wins by Ricardo Bribiescas (138), Edgar Quevas (152) and Jacob Graffigna (160). Graffigna trailed 4-2 late in the third period until a late escape and take down earned him a 5-4 win. Josh Aguilera also played catch-up to lock down his victory at 195 pounds. Aguilera turned a 2-0 first-period deficit into a pin before time expired in the opening session.
The Cougars are back in action Saturday at the annual Lynn Dyche Tournament at James Lick High School in San Jose.
