It wasn’t the first time Alexis Gonzalez wrestled at San Benito High, but it was his debut as a member of the Balers’ varsity squad.
During the three-round match in San Benito’s dual with North Salinas, the bruising 220-pound wrestler found a way to surprise the crowd inside Mattson Gym on Wednesday.
In his first varsity match, Gonzalez gained an advantage over North Salinas’ Anthony Sepulveda. With a thundering throw to the mat, Gonzalez pinned the Vikings’ seasoned wrestler.
“That was his first varsity match and he had a pin,” DeCarli said. “I feel better for the kids when the come up and they have success. They work so hard in the room and I told them, it will come. You just have to continue being positive. The work in the room pays off.”
The hard work paid off in a big way for the Balers on Wednesday. In duals against Alvarez and North Salinas, the Balers swept the day. Against Alvarez, the Balers used seven forfeits to their benefit and won 47-18.
San Benito record four pins in the dual.
Against North Salinas, the Balers dominated after a slow start to gather seven pins on their way to a 55-27 win.
After the Balers clinched the victory, the bench erupted with emotion. It was the Balers first taste of success this year, but it might have been the Balers best moment of the season.
“Coming in, it doesn’t happen a lot, they were a favorite over us,” DeCarli said of North Salinas. “A lot of that emotion was getting over the hump. We have a lot of youth. I would consider it a stepping stone. The win, I’m not concerned about. I’m more happy that we are wrestling better.”
Standouts included Dominic Cortes, who lost his first match against Alvarez but pulled out a tough victory over North Salinas. Freshman Elijah Riddle also impressed DeCarli.
The 108-pound Riddle used his speed to upend Alvarez’s wrestler and pin North Salinas’ Norman Napolitano.
“He had a big win over a kid that’s done a lot of good things,” DeCarli said.
The two victories showed how much the Balers have improved over the last few months, DeCarli said.
“I’m not going to jump off the band wagon of my mantra,” he said. “The whole year, I haven’t been concerned about the wins and the losses. I’ve been concerned about them improving and I don’t want to go back on my word now.”
He continued: “We have a lot of work to do. I’m really happy with the win but I’m more happy that they are not only wrestling better, but more consistent.”
