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Harlan Takes First At Reno TOC Wrestling Tournament
O Sarale 170
Taking the mats at 170 pounds, Gino Sarale, left, of Oakdale matched up against a Downey opponent here during Saturdays Mel Focha JV Tournament in Escalon. Sarale lost this match by decision. Marg Jackson/The Leader

Oakdale racked up some miles this past weekend when the wrestling team traveled to Reno to compete at the Reno Tournament of Champions. The two-day tournament featured top wrestlers from California and Nevada. As a team, Oakdale placed fifth overall and senior Colbey Harlan walked out as a champion. The team scored 172.5 points over the weekend.

Harlan defeated Ryan Rayes of Clovis 2-1 in the finals of the 195-pound weight class. Harlan has yet to lose this year and looks to continue his winning streak this weekend in Stockton when the team competes at the Bear Creek Invitational. Harlan wrestled six times in Reno and won four of his matches via pin fall.

Freshman Henry Porter impressed the high school wrestling world with his first place finish at the James Riddle Invite earlier in December. This past weekend he continued his strong early season efforts with a third place finish in the 120-pound division. Porter won his first match via pin, then followed that up with three straight wins via decision, including a victory over the number two seed. Porter fell in the semifinals but won in dramatic fashion to capture third overall in the consolation bracket.

Senior Jake Ryan placed fourth overall in the tournament in the 145-pound weight division. Ryan started the tournament off with four straight wins, but fell in the quarterfinals. He answered back with a 9-1 major decision in his first match in the consolation bracket and then won 3-1 followed by an 8-1 victory to advance to the third place match. There, he lost to take the fourth place finish.

Ricky Torres (138) placed sixth, Braydon Abell (106) placed seventh and Clayton Basher (113) finished in eighth for the Mustangs.

This weekend Oakdale will compete in the Bear Creek Invitational in Stockton. Wrestling action is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Valley Oak League action begins on Wednesday, Jan. 3 when Oakdale hosts Sierra and Kimball. Oakdale has won the league championship 11 straight years and goes in to the campaign looking to defend that TVL title.

Several young Mustangs made the short trip to Escalon on Saturday for the Mel Focha JV Tournament, getting in some valuable work on the mats.