Live Oak wrestling squad faces reality of having its depth cut
in half by Sobrato opening
The opening of Ann Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill two years
ago may have helped with overcrowding at Live Oak High School but
it didn’t bode well for the older school’s ability to compete on
the wrestling mat, according to Live Oak’s coach Robert
Fernandez.
”
I know half of the kids on that team over there (Sobrato),
”
Fernandez said.
”
When they went over there it killed us. There are probably 35
kids on the Sobrato team that would have been on our team.
”
Live Oak wrestling squad faces reality of having its depth cut in half by Sobrato opening
The opening of Ann Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill two years ago may have helped with overcrowding at Live Oak High School but it didn’t bode well for the older school’s ability to compete on the wrestling mat, according to Live Oak’s coach Robert Fernandez.
“I know half of the kids on that team over there (Sobrato),” Fernandez said. “When they went over there it killed us. There are probably 35 kids on the Sobrato team that would have been on our team.”
Fernandez made his comment after watching his squad lose 63-15 to San Benito High on Wednesday night in Morgan Hill.
“Gilroy and Hollister (San Benito) probably have 100 kids. We have 24,” Fernandez said. “But I’m pleased with the way our kids fought tough tonight. The first few matches could have gone either way. Hollister is one of the top teams in the CCS. I have a bunch of freshman and sophomores on my team. I just hope we can do this well against Gilroy (No. 1 ranked team in CCS) when we face them.”
On Wednesday night the Balers took a little more than 40 minutes to dispose of the Acorns. While Live Oak was expected to lose, Baler coach Matt Olejnik sees progress in the team from Morgan Hill.
“Live Oak is young and has a new coaching staff. But I was impressed. They came out and competed well,” he said. “They were able to fill out a varsity lineup and compete. I think they’re going in the right direction. Our guys wrestled well too.”
The win moved the Balers to 15-3 overall while Live Oak fell to 5-10.
The matches started out with a forfeit win for Baler wrestler Armando Lerma in the 103 class. Live Oak briefly tied the meet at 6-6 when Joe Pollard pinned San Benito’s Joe Frusetta in the 112-pound class. But the Acorns brief excitement would soon turn into disappointment as the Balers proceeded to win the next six matches to open up a commanding 39-6 lead before Live Oak’s Brett Jones picked up three points in a decision win over San Benito’s Kyle Sexton in the 152-pound division.
Live Oak then made the score 39-15 when Mitch Haaser pinned Baler wrestler Natan Mendoza in a hard-fought 160-pound contest.
After that clutch performance by Haaser, the Balers answered the challenge by picking up pins in the final four weight divisions.
“I thought we wrestled well. A few of our guys got tired,” Olejnik said. “But it was a good match and it was nice to come here. You don’t always get to hear someone sing the National Anthem and the kids don’t always get announced the way they did tonight. It’s a shame that Live Oak is leaving next year (to compete in the Blossom Valley Athletic League in San Jose).”
Results:
103-Armando Lerma, SB, forfeit, 6 points
112-Joe Pollard, LO, pinned Joe Frusetta, SB, 6 points
119-Christian Solis, SB, forfeit, 6 points
125-Jesus Saguero, SB, pinned Andrew Stratton, LO, 6 points
130-Luis Barocio, SB, decision over Jason Henderson, LO, 3 points
135-Andrew Sandoval, SB, pinned Steve Dominguez, LO, 6 points
140-Fernando Lucatero, SB, pinned Duck Tanner, LO, 6 points
145-Nilo Valasquez, SB, pinned Larry Dominguez, LO, 6 points
152-Brett Jones, LO, decision over Kyle Sexton, SB, 3 points
160-Mitch Haaser, LO, pinned Natan Mendoza, SB, 6 points
171-Josh Sanchez, SB, pinned Garrett Webb, LO, 6 points
189-Manuel Tovar, SB, forfeit, 6 points
215-Richard Perez, SB, pinned Justin Evans, LO, 6 points
Heavyweight-Kevin Mueller, SB, pinned Tom Method, LO, 6 points
