The Tri-County Athletic League wrestling season began with a pin
and ended in controversy as Hollister High hosted Salinas Wednesday
night at O’Donnell Gym.
The Tri-County Athletic League wrestling season began with a pin and ended in controversy as Hollister High hosted Salinas Wednesday night at O’Donnell Gym.
The Balers prevailed 52-25, but had to overcome a strong start by the Cowboys to do so.
In the 103-pound class, which started the evening’s events, the Balers Joe Verissimo pinned Omar Perez 33 seconds into the second period for six points.
At 112 pounds, Salinas gained some revenge when Steve Padroza pinned Dan DiSalvo.
In a bit of an upset, the Cowboys Mike Orozco outmuscled Jamie Driskill 11-3 at 119.
In the night’s feature match (125), Brett Kelsey faced the Cowboys Marcus Pettis, the defending Central Coast Section champ at 121. Kelsey didn’t back down as the bout went back and forth. Pettis outlasted Kelsey in sudden death overtime 10-8. The Cowboys then led 15-6.
Hollister’s Anthony Sunseri helped stem the tide towards the Balers’ way with a pin of his opponent.
Octavio Lucatero dominated his opponent for a decision to tie the score at 15-15. Another good match was the Balers’ Trevor Guerra vs. Ryan Kershiver, a great battle in the 145-pound class. Guerra took charge from the outset and built up a 7-2 lead. With 1:50 gone in the second period, Guerra finished Kershiver by way of pin. The pro-Baler crowd seemed to really wake up, standing, cheering and just going crazy.
At 152 pounds, Hollister’s Robbie Johnson, went at it with Sam Brooks. Johnson caught Brooks off guard, managing two near falls in the first period. Score after 1 period – 7-0. Johnson wasted little time in the second period, pinning Brooks with 45 seconds showing on the clock.
At 160 pounds,Fransico Avilles faced Matt Maschmegusl. Avilles made Maschmegusl out of Maschmegusl, pinning him with a wild fervor.
The Balers kept rolling with Shawn Donnelly at 189 against Victor Rodriquez of Salinas. Donnelly made quick work of Rodriquez pinning him near the end of the first period.
At 215, Jessie Grace must have wanted to get home for dinner because he wasted little time pinning the Cowboys David Aguro.
The last match of the evening was the heavyweight division. Tito Flores of Hollister vs. Christian Quintero. Flores led 2-0 at the end of the first period, but Quintero woke up in the second period, pinning Flores despite a protest from the Baler coaching staff for an illegal hold by Quintero.
Baler head coach Matt Olejnik was impressed with the Cowboys, who didn’t field a wrestling team last season.
“Their coach is doing a good job of building that program,” said Olejnik. “They have some gutty wrestlers.”
The Balers are at the Arcata Tournament in Eureka Saturday.
JV result: The Balers won 71-9. Hollister won 12 of the 14 matches.
