The young Live Oak wrestling team is showing that it will not be
an easy opponent.
The young Live Oak wrestling team is showing that it will not be an easy opponent.
Although Live Oak lost 54-21 at Gilroy Wednesday, new coach Ron Nichols has put together a group of guys who can compete.
Live Oak (0-1 in T-CAL) took an early lead on victories by heavyweight Mike Gamez, who was facing the 215-pound Jose Albarron, and by 103-pounder Alejandro Dominguez against Spencer Silva, who was getting his first varsity action.
Albarron was ahead 1-0 with 40 seconds left in the final period when he shot in for a single-leg takedown. Gomez countered and turned it into a two-point takedown for him – resulting in the 2-1 final score.
Dominguez put on his back with 23 seconds left in the second period to make the score 9-0.
Last season, Live Oak claimed a one-point dual-meet victory over the Mustangs, but it wasn’t to be this year.
After junior John Gurich – Gilroy’s regular 103-pounder – received a forfeit win in the 112-pound weight class, 119-pounder Christian Javier recorded a first-period pin of Live Oak’s Peter Ngyun with only three ticks left. That pin helped Gilroy take a 12-9 lead, which they never relinquished.
In the 125-pound bout, Live Oak’s Ismael Mariscian was defeated by Armondo Gonzalez in the first round.
Gilroy senior Danny San Juan and junior Chad Haygood both received forfeit victories to boost the team score to 30-9.
In 140’s, Matt Henderson lost a 7-1 decision to Gilbert Gutierrez.
In the 145 class, Live Oak’s Matt Melert was downed by Andrew Rauss 8-2.
In the 152-pound weight class, Live Oak’s Dan Benevento was pinned with 53 seconds left in the second period by Martin Serrano. Wahl used a double-leg takedown to put Fortino on his back.
In the 171-pound weight class, Live Oak’s Chris Horner pinned Vincent Sanchez in the second period to put the team score at 42-21 for Gilroy.
Gilroy’s 189-pounder Mark Zabala and 215-pounder Ryan Reynaud both registered first-period pins over Gabe Sedberry and P.J Parks respectively.
The Acorns compete in the Antioch tournament this weekend before playing North Salinas at home on Jan. 15.
