‘Balers Finish Second in Silicon Valley Challenges
Heading into the Silicon Valley Challenges last weekend, the streak seemed to be in jeopardy.
The San Benito wrestling team finished second in the dual-meet tournament the previous two years, but entered this year’s 29-team field hampered by both youth and injury. Lacking the numerous seasoned wrestlers of recent teams and weakened by senior stalwart Ryan Dunn’s injury, the Haybalers seemed unlikely to advance deep in the Gold Bracket, nevermind to finish as runners-up again.
Surprise!
Spurred by Dunn’s dramatic return, San Benito equaled its accomplishments of 2004 and 2005 in advancing all the way to the championship match. That the ‘Balers fell to Bellarmine 43-30 hardly put a damper on their showing.
“Third year in a row–second place,” said San Benito head coach Matt Olejnik, whose team fell to Los Gatos the past two years. “It was extremely positive. We had our work cut out for us and we pulled it out.”
After easily defeating San Lorenzo Valley, Aragon and Mt. Pleasant on Jan. 6 to win their pool, the ‘Balers advanced to the Gold Bracket the following day.
No. 2 San Benito began the day by posting a 47-33 victory over No. 7 Independence in the quarterfinals. The ‘Balers appeared likely to face a strong Half Moon Bay squad in the semifinals, the No. 3 team in the Gold Bracket. But No. 6 Livermore changed the complexion of the tournament by upsetting Half Moon Bay.
After a back-and-forth match with Livermore, San Benito took a one-point lead going into the last individual match, the 215-pound showdown. With a berth in the tournament’s championship match on the line, Olejnik turned to Dunn, his sidelined star, for an emotional and competitive boost.
“Only if he was needed … that was the criterion,” said Olejnik of utilizing Dunn, who received medical clearance prior to competition.
The senior delivered, pinning his opponent just 90 seconds into the first period to seal the win for San Benito. On the strength of their 37-30 victory, the ‘Balers advanced to the title match and a re-match with No. 1 Bellarmine.
After being overwhelmed by the visiting Bells on Dec. 13, San Benito knew it needed everything to go its way to win the championship.
“We weren’t even really in the match too much,” said Olejnik of the teams’ earlier meeting.
The ‘Balers had received perfect, 5-0 showings to date from Chris Mora (119-lb.), Luis Barocio (130-lb.), Fernando Lucatero (140-lb.) and Sammy Ramirez (171-lb.) and would need their strong performances to continue to secure the title.
While Mora and Lucatero prevailed to cement their undefeated runs through the tournament, Barocio, Ramirez and Nilo Velazquez (152 lb.) all suffered close losses that turned the match in Bellarmine’s favor.
“You always have toss-up matches, ones that can go either way,” said Olejnik. “We didn’t get any of ’em. Those three matches were the turning points.”
With the ‘Balers’ defeat already ensured, Dunn didn’t return to the mat, making his showing a brief, but essential cameo appearance.
After entering the weekend with high hopes, but realistic expectations, San Benito walked away from the tournament with runners-up honors and a sense of camaraderie in what is, at its core, an individual sport.
“We felt good about what we did,” said Olejnik. “For us to get the opportunity to wrestle other teams and take second place … it was a great experience for the kids. We pulled together as a team. It makes practices nicer during the week.”
In advancing to the Gold Bracket, the ‘Balers opened with a 68-6 defeat of San Lorenzo Valley, rolled to a 76-6 win over Aragon, and set down Mt. Pleasant by a score of 47-22.
Sophomore Armando Lerma and freshman Alex Mattau rotated at the 103-pound slot throughout the weekend and combined for a 6-0 showing. Sophomore Kevin Mueller enjoyed a 4-2 run in the heavyweight classification.
“We’re getting better,” said Olejnik. “Our young guys are improving.”
San Benito returns to Tri-County Athletic League competition by visiting Live Oak tomorrow, and then enters the field at the Jim Root Classic, an individual tournament that includes many Central Coast Section entrants, this weekend.
