Morales, Fernandez heading to sectionals
SAN JOSE — The Live Oak wrestling team captains will carry the Acorns’ flag at sectionals.
Senior Tony Morales (119 pounds) and junior Steven Fernandez (140) placed second and fourth, respectively, in last weekend’s Blossom Valley Athletic League Finals at Pioneer High School, and will represent Live Oak in this weekend’s CIF-Central Coast Section Tournament.
Morales and Fernandez were two of the three Acorns that placed at BVALs, joining senior Julian Estrada who took seventh at 189.
“We did pretty good as a team,” Live Oak coach Robert Fernandez, father of Steven, said. “The BVAL tournament is pretty darn tough. You’ve got to come there ready to wrestle. Some of the best guys in CCS come out of the BVAL.”
Steven Fernandez defended his top seed by advancing to the championship match, where he lost to Evan Crockett of Silver Creek.
Morales dropped into the consolation bracket after a loss in the quarterfinals. He had to settle for fourth place after reaching his five-match limit.
“Tony is happy with that,” Robert Fernandez said. “(Estrada) won when he had to. … It was a nice way to end his career.”
Steven Fernandez earned a fifth seed for the sectional finals tournament at Independence High School.
“He’s the best chance for a wrestler from Morgan Hill to go to state,” Robert Fernandez said. “He’s peaking at the right time.”
