Josh Ramirez at 147 pounds, Enrique Lucatero at 162 remain in
contention to earn individual titles
GILROY
Day one is done at Mid Cals, and the shorthanded San Benito Haybalers sit in fourth place out of 67 teams, 39 points out of first.
Josh Ramirez at 147 pounds and Enrique Lucatero at 162 pounds remain in the semifinals and in contention to earn individual titles, while the ‘Balers, which competed with 12 wrestlers, have six others still alive in the consolation bracket.
“So far, I’m very pleased,” San Benito head coach Brian DeCarli said. “We’re top five right now and there are 67 teams in this tournament. I’m really happy after day one. Hopefully, we can pick it up another notch tomorrow and medal five or six of them.”
The ‘Balers went into the tournament without 112-pounder David Bazan (who was “groggy” after being slammed to the mat during a match last weekend), without 119-pounder Junior Davila (hand) and without Morris Stevens (shoulder) at 125 pounds.
But San Benito compiled 120 points, nonetheless.
St. Francis, the No. 2 ranked team in the Central Coast Section, is currently in first with 159 points, although that could very well change as the Mountain View school has just four wrestlers in the semifinals.
Gilroy, which has won Mid Cals three years running, is in third place with 148.5 points and has five semifinalists. Selma, which is ranked third in California, is second with 153.5 points and has approximately six or seven wrestlers still in contention.
Just behind San Benito is Centennial, however, which sits in fifth with 119.5 points.
“This makes us feel pretty good, so far,” DeCarli said.
An individual victory in the finals means four additional points to the respective team, making it difficult for the ‘Balers to make up any significant ground on either Gilroy, Selma or St. Francis on day two.
But holding on to a top-five standing, especially considering the injury report coming in to the tournament, would certainly be a positive for San Benito.
“We’ll see how day two goes, but it’s a good start for day one,” DeCarli said.
On Friday, Geo Coelho (137 pounds) and Steven Borba (142) made it all the way to the quarterfinals before falling, but still remain in the consolation bracket for day two.
Additionally, Nikko Espinoza (114), Zach Rodriguez (132), Martin Garcia (217) and Adam Davis (287) will all continue to battle their way up to a possible third-place finish on Saturday.
Day two of Mid Cals will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and continue throughout the day at Gilroy High.
DAY ONE, MID CALS
INDIVIDUAL
105 – Kenny Salcedo, 3-2; Next: Done.
114 – Nikko Espinoza, 3-1; Next: Austin Baughman, Liberty of Madera.
121 – N/A.
127 – N/A.
132 – Zach Rodriguez, 4-1; Next: Nhan Phan, Seaside.
137 – Geo Coelho, 3-1; Next: Winner of Josh Topete, King’s Academy/Josh White, Andrew Hill.
142 – Steven Borba, 3-1; Next: Winner of Mark Gonzalas, Archbishop Riordan/Jarette Suikowsky, Hoover.
147 – Josh Ramirez, 4-0; Next: Vincent Aboytes, Gilroy.
154 – Justin Raine, 2-2; Next: Done.
162 – Enrique Lucatero, 4-0; Next: Tyler Edwards, Monterey.
173 – Eduardo Tovar, 2-2; Next: Done.
191 – Brantley Mott, 3-2; Next: Done.
217 – Martin Garcia, 3-1; Next: Billy Dean, Spanish Springs.
287 – Adam Davis, 4-1; Next: Jesus Soto, El Diamante.
TEAM (67 TEAMS)
1 – St. Francis, 159
2 – Selma, 153.5
3 – Gilroy, 148.5
4 – San Benito, 120.0
5 – Centennial, 119.5
6 – Kingsburg, 101.5
7 – Spanish Springs, 101.5
8 – Turlock, 98.5
9 – Palo Alto, 95.0
10 – Monterey, 92.0
11 – Dos Palos, 89.5
12 – Overfelt, 85.0
13 – Prospect, 84.5
14 – Serra, 82.5
15 – Oak Grove, 81.0
