Senior one of three Bulldogs who advanced to Saturday’s
competition, joining Brian Gomes at 105 pounds and Rafael Anaya at
191
GILROY — Ryan Brewer highlighted a solid first day for Sobrato in the 67-team Mid-Cal Classic, one of the biggest high school wrestling tournaments in the state.
The senior was one of three Bulldogs who advanced to Saturday’s competition at Gilroy High, joining Brian Gomes at 105 pounds and Rafael Anaya at 191.
“It’s been a good day overall,” Sobrato coach Moses Guillardo said Friday. “The guys are seeing the type of competition they’re going to see late in the season. You’re up against the best here. That’s what it’s all about.”
Brewer is in the hunt for first place at 154 pounds.
The senior lived up to his No. 6 seeding in imposing style, winning his last two matches by pin after receiving a bye in the first round. Brewer put Christopher’s Johnny Cortez to the mat in the first period, then pinned Fernando Estrada of Dos Palos in the closing seconds of the third. Brewer, who is ranked No. 13 in the Central Coast Section, is set to wrestle Silver Creek’s Tyler Hernandez in the championship bracket semifinals.
“I think Ryan definitely has a shot at winning this,” Guillardo said.
Gomes and Anaya rebounded from losses to advance in their consolation brackets.
Gomes reaped a first-round bye, then went to work against Bailey Yee of George Washington, pinning him in one minute, 36 seconds. Gomes dropped a 7-2 decision to Clovis West’s Brandon Rodriguez but ended the day strong by pinning Hunter Rehbein of Palma in the first period.
Gomes faces Jasmine Yanez of tournament-host Gilroy in a consolation quarterfinal Saturday.
“Brian could surprise some people,” Guillardo said. “He’s looking strong out there.”
Anaya has turned heads as well. He bounced back from a second-round loss to Watsonville’s Josh Castillo with pins against Ira Goosby (Oakland Tech) and Ricardo Lanas (Santa Teresa). Anaya, who has reaped two forfeits during his run to the consolation quarterfinals, will wrestle Sohal Sukhraj of Los Gatos next.
Saturday’s wrestling begins at 9 a.m. with the finals set for 5 p.m.
