Bulldogs Encouraged by Young Wrestlers’ Steady Improvement
Morgan Hill – The Sobrato Bulldogs wrestling team has been improving each week in each tournament they participate. Over the weekend the Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2 TCAL) squad was split between the JV tournament in Los Gatos and the Jim Root Classic at West Valley College.
“The weekend went real well,” said Bulldogs’ coach Phil Luna. “We had five out of 10 kids place in the Los Gatos tournament.”
Placing for Sobrato at the Los Gatos tournament were Joseph Redman (100-pounds) with a fourth place finish, Michael McChesney (105-pounds) with a fourth place finish, Justin Everson (130-pounds) and Tim Hendersen (130-pounds) also finished fourth in their divisions. Jake Ortiz (135-pounds) placed third for the Bulldogs, giving the team a 10th place finish out of 26 participating teams.
The Bulldogs entered three wrestlers in the Jim Root Classic tournament held at West Valley College and they did well enough to place Sobrato 14th as a team and come away with two champions.
Genaro Redman earned the championship in the heavyweight division, pinning all three of the opponents he faced.
Teammate Moses Gillardo also earned a championship at the 125-pound weight division, winning 7-5 in the final over opponent Daniel Rodriguez of Gonzales High. Gillardo led the entire match 6-1, despite bleeding from his nose from the start, until Rodriquez made some moves with 30 seconds remaining. Gillardo held on, bloody nose and all to defeat Rodriguez for the first time this season. Gillardo was also awarded the outstanding wrestler award.
“It was good to see Moses come from behind and get a win. He wrestled tough, bleeding and all,” said Luna. “He’s looking pretty good. Both Moses and Genaro are improving every week.”
Victor Gillespe placed fifth at the 160-pound weight division and according to Luna also continues to improve each tournament.
The Bulldogs return to TCAL dual meet action today against the North Salinas Vikings and are looking to get back on track in league.
“We don’t even know what North Salinas has,” said Luna. “I was disappointed with the loss to Salinas last week. It will be big if we can get a second win this year. We might be able to pull something out.”
Salinas narrowly defeated Sobrato, 39-37, last Wednesday.
The Bulldogs’ Anthony Mendez (119-pounds), Gillardo (125-pounds), Hendersen (135-pounds), Gillespe (171-pounds) and Redman (275-pounds) each pinned their Salinas’ opponents. Everson (130-pounds) won his matchup by decision, 16-4.
Taylor Ortiz (160-pounds) battled hard in his matchup before falling in a 17-2 decision.
“The kid Taylor was wrestling was a stud,” said Luna. “He never game up.”
“As a team we’re ranked 22nd in the section,” said Luna. “We’re happy with that. It’s pretty impressive for us.”
Next weekend the Bulldogs return to tournament action as they head to Santa Rosa to participate in the Maria Carillo tournament.
