Salinas – The San Benito wrestling team had a good start to Tri-County Athletic League action and a good send off to its holiday break with a 72-6 win over Alisal on Wednesday.
The win moved the Haybalers to 8-1 on the dual meet season.
Aside from two forfeit wins at 103 and 125 pounds, San Benito lost just one match and easily won the remainder of its contests.
“Alisal’s a young team, they’re on the right track,” ‘Balers coach Matt Olejnik said. “We were just a little too much for them tonight.”
Olejnik was pleased with the performance to start league play, in particular the fact that all but two of his wrestlers were able to take the mat.
“It was good because we’re going into vacation time. In past years, teams like Sobrato and Live Oak would have about five guys and we’d have a lot of forfeits.”
Freshman David Bazan, who was wrestling at 112 pounds, had a strong start to his varsity career, earning a pin. Freshman Junior De Aila also won by pin at 119 pounds and Gio Coelho scored a strong victory as well.
In one of the closer matches, Steven Borba recorded a near fall in the final 10 seconds to earn a victory.
The ‘Balers won’t return to action until they compete in the Sierra Nevada Classic in Reno, Nev., on Dec. 27-28.
