The Hollister High wrestling team, buoyed by the return of
junior Alejo Velasquez, got well with a convincing 49-22 victory at
Palma Wednesday night.
The Hollister High wrestling team, buoyed by the return of junior Alejo Velasquez, got well with a convincing 49-22 victory at Palma Wednesday night.
The Balers recoiled in a big way against a Chieftains team strong in the upper weights, following the Balers’ wide-margin defeat to Gilroy last week.
Velasquez, who received medical clearance Tuesday to wrestle, forged ahead in the 160-pound class then held on to win 8-7. It was an eye-opening win, considering Velasquez hadn’t wrestled in six months.
“Alejo had a big lead early then got gassed and the guy came back and tied him,” said Baler head coach Matt Olejnik.
Velasquez escaped with two seconds left in regulation for the win.
Other Baler winners were Joe Verissimo, by pin at 103 pounds; Jamie Driskill at 119; Brent Kelsey by pin at 125; Anthony Sunseri by decision at 130; Octavio Lucatero by pin at 135; Alex Diaz by pin at 140; Trevor Guerra by pin at 145; Shawn Donnelly by pin at 215; and Tito Flores by pin at heavyweight.
The Balers must now focus on the prestigious Mid-Cal Tournament at Gilroy High, which begins this Friday at noon.
Octavio Lucatero is seeded second while Velasquez is seeded sixth.
“Alejo snuck in there somehow,” said Olejnik, who added that Driskill, Flores and Kelsey were close to being seeded.
Olejnik feels this tournament can be an indication as to how the Balers will do this year.
“We’ve finished in the top 10 of every tournament we’ve been in,” he said. “This is a tournament where we want to make a name for ourselves, to show what kind of team we are going into the rest of the season.”
The finals of the Mid-Cals are at 6 p.m. Saturday.
In junior varsity wrestling, the Balers clobbered Palma 69-8. Baler victors were the red-hot John Bourbon, who won by tech fall at 103 pounds; Jedidiah Porteur by major decision at 112; Jonathan Ariza, who pinned his opponent in the first 20 seconds at 145; Kyle Horn by pin at 160; and Francisco Aviles by pin at 189.
The JVs host the Earthquake Duals this Saturday.
