High School wrestling teams will be gearing up for the all-important post-season tournaments this week, as they close out the regular season schedule.
Last week the Analy Tigers pushed their league record to 3-2 with a dominant 70-6 dual meet win over Elsie Allen, while the El Molino Lions (2-3) fell to Petaluma (48-29). Both will close out the league season on the road this week, as the Tigers visit Piner, while the Lions travel to Elsie Allen. The action starts at 6 p.m.
Also looming large is the North Coast Section Duals Tournament hosted by Windsor High School, which may include both Analy and El Molino, depending on qualifying criteria. The action kicks off at 9 a.m.
The Sonoma County League Championships move to Petaluma on Feb. 26-27. The Tigers figure they will be a top-three contender, while the Lions won’t be far behind. Top three SCL finishers in their weight class will advance to the North Coast Section Championships the following week.
“We’re looking forward to the SCL Tournament and possibly taking as many as eight kids to NCS, Analy coach Ryan Stevens said. “We’re progressing well as a team and are increasing the intensity level in workouts, hoping to have our kids peak at the right time.”
The top wrestlers from El Mo and Analy will be looking to make their mark at the NCS Championships hosted by James Logan High School in Union City on Feb. 26-27. The top three individual finishers in each weight class will stamp their tickets to the prestigious CIF State meet at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield on March 4-5.
Analy shines in local tournaments
The Tigers sent a contingent of eight wrestlers to the Ukiah Redwood Empire Classic Tournament on Feb. 6, with 140-pound Yogi Bazzano (3-2, 5th place) and 197-pound Ariel Merhav (3-1, 7th place) the top finishers for Analy. In addition, 182-pound JV wrestler Setheo Kolybakos took home a first-place medal.
Analy’s female wrestlers also did well in Ukiah, led by 108-pound Jade Wight (2nd place), 132-pound Kim Juarez-Rico (3rd place) and 150-pound Mari Mendoza (3rd place).
Analy sent sophomore state hopeful Trevor Bagan to the prestigious Mission San Jose tourney on Saturday, with the 108-pounder claiming a fourth-place medal. Bagan is currently the fifth ranked wrestler in NCS in his weight class.
West County
High School wrestling briefs
Petaluma 48, El Molino 29
(Feb. 3 at Forestville)
108: Connor Pederson (Pet) d. Jahmye Daly 6-3
113: Zac Coello (Pet) won by forfeit
122: Jack Reynolds (Pet) won by forfeit
128: Abraham Martinez (EM) p. Aiden Sawyer
134: Roy Scott (Pet) won by forfeit
140: MacDonnell (Em) p. Colton Prieto
147: Dominic Ayers (Pet) d. Edmundo Lopez 8-2
154: Derrick Pomi (Pet) won by forfeit
160: Josh Wright (EM) p. Curtis Goughnour
170: Eric Machado (Pet) p. Christian Ohlin
184: Thomas Mitchell (EM) p. Sterling Prieto
197: Robert Garza (EM) p. Eric Coast
220: Michelle Larsen (Pet) won by forfeit
HWT: Daniel Pacheco (Pet) p. Travis Adams
Analy 70, Elsie Allen 6 (Feb. 3 at Analy)
108 – Jade Wight won by 13-6 dec.
115 – Dalton Gavriloff won by pin
128 – Austin Henry won by 7-4 dec.
