Hi everyone. I hope each of you are having a very good week.
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I am excited to share amazing results from our Oakdale High School wrestling team.
On Wednesday, February 25 the boys left Oakdale heading to Bakersfield. A huge crowd lined F Street in front of Bianchi Community Center on Wednesday after school. The crowd held colorful signs, flags, and bells. Cars passing by honked and folks yelled encouragement … it was truly an Oakdale send off. The crowd started gathering at about 2pm; it kept growing bigger as the minutes went by. Right around 2:30pm the crowd began to cheer wildly as our Oakdale Fire Department came into view. Sirens blaring and lights flashing, they were escorting our mighty Oakdale Mustang wrestlers.
As the crowd cheered, the wrestlers rolled by, the boys with big smiles, waved and acknowledged their appreciation to the downtown crowd.
As the wrestlers headed toward the State Meet in Bakersfield, their families and friends made plans to make their way down to Bakersfield to support these amazing athletes.
Congratulations to each of our wrestlers who worked so hard, sacrificed much, and made it to the state competition.
Huge congratulations to our two Oakdale High state medalists, Wes Burford and Matthew Cooley. We are so proud to say that both of these young men are from our community of Valley Home. What an extraordinary achievement. With nearly 1000 wrestlers competing in each bracket simply qualifying for the state championships is a remarkable accomplishment. The athletes faced the very best in California making every match a true test of skill, strength, and determination.
Junior standout Matthew Cooley competed in the heavyweight division and earned an impressive third place in the entire state. With another year ahead of him at Oakdale High school the Oakdale community looks forward to seeing Matt return to the state stage next season. His off-season schedule is already packed with wrestling events scheduled in Virginia Beach and Milwaukee.
Our Oakdale High senior, Wes Burford, who is a tremendous talent, battled his way to a second place finish in the entire state. Wes wrestled in the 215 pound division capping off an amazing high school wrestling career. His runner-up finish at state is a testament to his years of dedication and perseverance. He will continue his athletic career on the football field as he heads to play for the United States Air Force next season. Wes is an amazing young man.
Our Valley Home community couldn’t be prouder of these outstanding student athletes and the legacy they continue to build.
Matt and Wes and their teammates have each given 100 percent to their wrestling careers. We are so proud of each of these amazing wrestlers that represented OHS at the State Meet. Congratulations to Cody Soares (who is a former Valley Home school student), Ezekiel Hernandez, Xander Birakos, Jesse Meza, Jake Simmons, Griffin Gerber, Matt Cooley, and Wes Burford. These eight wrestlers have a strong bond that will undoubtedly stay with them for all their lives. Thank you to their amazing coaches. God bless each of you.
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As always if you have information you would like to appear in this column, please email it to me at winniemullins51@gmail.com, or send it by text or telephone at 209-985-5233.
Until next time, “Happy Trails to All!”
