You know you have things going your way if you win nearly before you take the mat. Such was the case for the San Benito wrestling team in its road match against Salinas last night.
Though the Haybalers continued their hot start with a 48-24 romp, some of the luster was lost because undermanned Salinas surrendered 24 points via forfeits.
“It was satisfying, but the result’s pretty much in hand before it starts,” said San Benito head coach Matt Olejnik. “[The forfeits] take away the intensity of the match. It’s not all that gratifying.”
Nevertheless, the ‘Balers secured their second Tri-County Athletic League victory in as many matches and ran their overall record to 8-2.
Competing without star senior Ryan Dunn, who separated a shoulder in practice over the holidays and remains sidelined, San Benito received solid performances from a cast of characters.
Jesus Sagereo (125 lbs.) and Richard Perez (215 lbs.) won by fall. Sophomore Manny Tovar (189 lbs.) prevailed in a 7-5 decision and freshman Nick Craft (171 lbs.) won a 9-7 decision in the final seconds in his first-ever varsity match.
“We did have a good night on the mat,” said Olejnik. “We took it to ’em pretty good.”
With Salinas stocking the ranks of its junior varsity team instead of filling out the varsity spots, Olejnik didn’t even need to use Chris Mora (119 lbs.) and Anthony Padilla (135 lbs.), two ‘Balers who have figured prominently in the team’s early-season success.
“Basically it hurts the league,” said Olejnik of teams such as Salinas and previous San Benito victim Sobrato not fielding a complete line-up. “It doesn’t make the dual meets as fun.”
With formidable Gilroy likely to provide the only true test in the TCAL, the ‘Balers may gain their best experience in tournament competition.
San Benito took fourth in the Kenny Fehlman Tournament, losing to only Atascadero and Los Gatos, and finished 30th in a 96-team pool at the Sierra Nevada Classic last month.
Beginning tomorrow, the ‘Balers have their next opportunity to match up against some of the Bay Area’s best at the Silicon Valley Challenges, a meet that includes 32 teams. After finishing runner-up to Los Gatos the past two years, San Benito will tackle its 10 dual meets over the two days down one important soldier.
“It’s tough going in there without Ryan Dunn participating,” said Olejnik. “Going against the better teams, it’s going to be a dogfight.”
As for goals for the season, Olejnik hopes his ‘Balers can secure one of the top spots in the Central Coast Section.
“We’re going to push it to place top-four in the section,” said Olejnik, who listed Gilroy, Fremont and Los Gatos as the top dogs. “We’re one of a slew of teams fighting for fourth place.
“Gilroy is the team to beat. If we can match away from their studs … we fully expect to give them a run for their money.”
