Live Oak defeated North Salinas 51-30 in a Tri-County dual match
Wednesday at Live Oak.
Live Oak defeated North Salinas 51-30 in a Tri-County dual match Wednesday at Live Oak.
“This is one of the sports that a lot of hard work can really have results,” said first-year coach Ron Nichols. “One of things I’ve done is to really work these guys. They thinned out a little bit. But the ones that are left are working hard, and they are getting some results. Now they are starting to feel the fruits.”
Freshman Jason Henderson, a 103-pounder is one of the athletes Nichols has pushed hard to excel.
“We put him in a higher level in a varsity tournament,” Nichols said. “It has paid off because now because he is at a medium level and he basically dominates them. He he can walk off with a smile after a tough weekend prior. That is what coaches get paid for.”
Live Oak fielded a full varsity team against North Salinas. The only forfeit that the Acorns received was in the 130 class.
“Most of the talent has graduated,” Nichols said. “I have some great seniors who are working really hard. They have something to learn too. But I love what I see. They really have raised their level of wrestling a lot through hard work and being coachable.”
In 171s, Chris Horner received a forfeit victory.
“He’s the team captain and probably our best wrestler, so it was disappointing not to see him wrestle,” Nichols said.
Gabe Sedbury (189 pounds) pinned his opponent in the first round at 1:27.
“He’s one of our most improved wrestlers,” Nichols said. “It was a good match for him. He really did everything right to end up with a pin in the first round.”
In 215s, freshman Chris Rockwell was pinned.
“He got indoctrinated like a lot of the freshmen do, finding out it is a little harder than practice,” Nichols said. “It is just from a lack of experience. His heart and his work ethic will take him into the winning world soon.”
Heavy weight Mike Gamez pinned his man 37 seconds into the second round.
“He’s been making less and less mistakes and is getting more and more skilled,” Nichols said. “He is also much improved.”
Hondo Dominguez, a 103-pounder, was ahead by two points in the first round then pinned his man in the second round.
First-year wrestler Peter Nyguin was outmatched in the 112-pound bracket against a more experienced wrestler and was pinned in the second round.
Freshman Scott Arnett, a 119-pounder, was pinned in the second round by a female Judo black belt.
“He fought a good fight, and she was a good wrestler,” Nichols said. “I told him before the match that when you wrestle a girl, you can’t win. If you win, you’re supposed to. If you lose, you have to bare it awhile.”
In 125s, first-year wrestler Ishmael Marisclan pinned his man in the second round. Freshman Ashby Shaw, a 135-pounder, was pinned in second round. Matt Melert and Matt Henderson received forfeits in the 140 and 145 classes.
In one of the best matches of the night, 152-pounder team captain Den Benevento knocked off his opponent in a 5-3 decision.
“He went against one of their most experienced wrestlers and wrestled a very very tough match,” Nichols said. “He basically was more successful in a takedown and a reversal. Dan’s good defense allowed the guy only one takedown.”
Dan Wahl pinned his man in the second round of the 161-pound weight class.
“He is very coachable,” Nichols said. “He has a very high-end skills package, and he is very quick.”
The Acorns continue to improve each day, Nichols said.
“I’m encouraged with what I see,” Nichols said. “Part of the reason I’m coaching is because I was concerned there was not going to be a program. Not only is there a program in place but they are productive. We’re not off the map like people probably put us last year.”
The varsity team will be competing in the Jim Root tournament at West Valley, and the JV team will be at Los Gatos High School.
