San Marcos wrestling opened its season with a 46-29 crosstown rivalry win over Santa Barbara High on Wednesday inside the Thunderhut.
“Although we have work to do, overall I am pleased with tonight,” San Marcos head coach Jesus Romero said. “Not just with having won, but that the strong community that congregated around San Marcos Wrestling was all hands on deck tonight.
“I was able to focus on coaching while our team of amazing team moms and coaches helped out all over. We wrestled hard and wrestled smart. The effort was no less than 100% tonight.”
The Royals were led by pins from Alejandro Pulet, Leon Fox, William Huyn, Gus Cooper, Alex Visueta and Anthony Leal to earn big team points. Lenny Hernandez also picked up a win with a major decision for San Marcos in his bout.
San Marcos also picked up a forfeit victory at 120 pounds to round out the team’s scoring.
Meanwhile, Santa Barbara High got pins from Nick Egan, Lucas Blessing, Moises Jimenez and John Gomez. Gabe Hoyos and Navas Ramirez recorded decision victories for the Dons.
“I’m proud of our team’s effort and culture,” Santa Barbara High head coach Chris Hamman said. “We had a bunch of first-year wrestlers step up to wrestle varsity matches. They want to compete and challenge themselves, take opportunities to learn and grow.
“We’re thankful to have quality opponents and the support of our wrestling families. I’m looking forward to watching the Dons compete this season.”
Dos Pueblos 51, Pacifica 30
The Chargers came out on top in the boys match against the Tritons, while the girls finished tied at 12-12 on Wednesday in Oxnard.
“The coaching staff and I are very proud of how our teams wrestled tonight,” Dos Pueblos head coach Matt Bernard said. “They came out with intention and put their full effort into every match.
“Pacifica has a handful of tough lightweights, which was good for our wrestlers to compete against and take home some valuable lessons.”
Seamus Fergus (157 lbs.), Max Mazin (190), Ethan Ono (215) and Hector Medina-Lule (Heavyweight) dominated their matchups for the Chargers with victories by way of pins.
“Max Mazin came out with guns blazing, secured a quick takedown and went to work on top, pinning his opponent in the first,” Bernard said. “Ethan Ono added another pin to his win streak, making him 5-0 on the season with five pins.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Gilligan earned a major decision win and Julien Joulie-Mares recorded a technical fall in the 138-pound and 113-pound classes, respectively.
Brandon Velasquez (165), Jayden Garcia (175) and Arjun Ramachandran (106) each tallied forfeit victories.
On the girls side, Dos Pueblos got pins from Ariana Valladares and Liz Vargas at 105 and 110 pounds, respectively.
“Ari continued to push her technical prowess and systematically worked through every position, dismantling her opponent’s defenses and securing the pin,” Bernard said. “Liz wrestled with an intensity her opponent couldn’t match, overpowering her and winning with a pin.”
The Chargers will host Oxnard for another Channel League matchup next Wednesday.