San Benito one of 53 schools in Gilroy tourney
The San Benito wrestling team has won three straight wrestling tournaments but even the most ambitious Haybaler probably isn’t expecting the team to finish first this weekend – and that’s no knock on a very solid team.
After winning the North Coast Classic, Jim Root Classic and Silicon Valley Challenge Cup over the past three weekends, San Benito will tackle its toughest test of the regular season beginning today at the Mid-Cals at Gilroy High.
“Mid-Cals is always a good measuring stick,” ‘Balers coach Matt Olejnik said of the tournament that features several of the top teams from the Central Coast Section and the state. “We’ll see a lot of wrestlers from our section. It’s like a mini-CCS tournament. It should answer a lot of questions for us.”
Fifty-three schools have signed up to compete in the tournament that has been going strong for 26 years. Gilroy is the defending team champion, having compiled 307 points last year.
San Benito is looking for at least a top-10 finish, but would like to move up into the top-five.
“If we can get in the top-10, top-five range, that’s what we’re shooting for,” Olejnik said. “We’re trying to be the highest CCS team and battle Gilroy.”
The ‘Balers might be without the services of freshman 112-pounder Junior Davila. The seventh-ranked wrestler in the section injured his collarbone and sat out Wednesday’s dual meet against Palma.
San Benito’s Fernando Lucatero, who is ranked No. 1 in the CCS and finished fourth at 140 pounds last year’s Mid-Cals, should have his work cut out for him as most of the top wrestlers in the state will be competing in his 160-pound weight class.
Luis Borocio, fifth ranked in CCS at 140 pounds, and Josh Ramirez, sixth at 152, are other wrestlers the ‘Balers will be counting on. But even more important that a strong performance, Olejnik said, is San Benito staying healthy for the rest of the season.
“The main thing is to get everybody out healthy,” Olejnik said. “This is some stiff competition late in the year. Everybody is banged up a little bit right now.”
Among those other than Lucatero who placed last year and expect to wrestle are Ryan Block of Salinas, fourth at 103 now at 112; Peter Hoang of Silver Creek, fourth at 130 now at 135; Joey Wilson of Half Moon Bay, third at 140 now at 152; Marco Orozco of Salinas, third at 152; Hunter Collins of Gilroy, first at 171; and John Hall of Palo Alto, third at 189.
Also, Alex Rodriguez of Clovis East is No. 1 in the state at 135, Mike Vasser of Foothill is No. 2 at 140, Max Baker of Elk Grove is No. 2 at 145 and Brandon Hamilton of Elk Grove is No. 5 at heavyweight.
“This is one of the best tournaments around,” Gilroy coach Armando Gonzalez said. “It’s probably the fourth or fifth best in the state. There are a lot of good teams here and we’ve been getting calls from others that we had to turn away.”
The first session begins at 10am today. The second session is at 9:30am Saturday with the third session to follow at 3pm and the championship finals at 5pm.
Staff writer Marc David contributed to this report.
