The Balers’ Mid-Cal lineup
— 12 wrestlers strong — includes a pair of wrestlers who are
currently positioned in the semifinal round of their respective
weight class. Kenny Salcedo at 114 pounds and Mikey Soto at 142
pounds both went 3-0 on Day 1, and both sit one win away from
advancing to the championship round.
GILROY
The first day of the Mid-Cal Wrestling Tournament has concluded and seven wrestlers remain for the San Benito Haybalers, who are currently positioned sixth out of 70 teams.
The Balers compiled 109 points on the first day, and sit behind Pitman (115.5), Paso Robles (122), Alisal (129), Gilroy (157.5) and Selma (179), which won Mid-Cals two years ago.
San Benito also has a slim lead over both Central (107.5) and Madera South (104), which sit in seventh and eighth place, respectively. Los Banos (98) and Archbishop Riordan (96.5) round out the top 10 teams.
The Balers’ Mid-Cal lineup — 12 wrestlers strong — includes a pair of wrestlers who are currently positioned in the semifinal round of their respective weight class.
Kenny Salcedo at 114 pounds and Mikey Soto at 142 pounds both went 3-0 on Day 1, and both sit one win away from advancing to the championship round.
After receiving a first-round bye, Salcedo defeated Greg Garrison of Buchanan by fall (3:36), topped Bryan Gomes of Sobrato by a 13-3 major decision, and edged Martin Martinez of Palma by a 9-8 score to advance to the semifinals.
Salcedo will square off against top-seeded Lupe Florez of Selma in the semifinals on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Soto, who also received a first-round bye, earned three straight victories to advance to the semifinal round. The San Benito senior beat both Adam Luu of George Washington (1:08) and Jace Basurto of Oak Grove (1:13) by fall, before defeating Monte Renteria of Dinuba by a 7-2 decision.
Soto will now see second-seeded Blake Kastl of Gilroy in Saturday’s semifinal.
Although Salcedo and Soto are the last two remaining Balers in the championship bracket, five remain in the consolation bracket.
Tony Gatto (4-1) is alive at 105 pounds, and will see Johnni Pimentel of Madera South on Saturday; Robb Rodriguez (3-1) remains wrestling at 121 pounds, and will square off against either Eric Cramer of Gunn or Chris Moreno of Alisal; 132-pounder Dominic Cortes (2-1) will battle Anthony Rivera of Half Moon Bay to open Saturday; Zack Rodriguez (2-1), at 137 pounds, will face off against either Trey Peterson of Aptos or Arturo Morado of Alisal; and Luis Ruiz (2-1) will meet up with either Faleh Salem of South San Francisco or Martin Gonzalez of Leigh at 162 pounds to open Saturday’s consols.
San Benito brought 12 wrestlers total, and five were eliminated on the first day, including Toby Sherman (0-2) at 127 pounds, Greg Landry (2-2) at 147 pounds, Nick Mendizabal (1-2) at 154 pounds, Tim Castillo (1-2) at 173 pounds and Aaron Silva (2-2) at 217 pounds.
Day 2 of Mid-Cals will begin on Saturday at 9 a.m. The day will include consolation rounds fifth through eighth, and the semifinals of the championship round.
At 3 p.m., the consolation finals will begin, with matches deciding third and fourth place, as well as fifth and sixth place.
At 5 p.m., the day will conclude with the championship finals in all 14 weight classes.
