No rest for the Oakdale wrestling team during the winter break. The highly accomplished grapplers competed in the Mike Tamana Invite at Modesto Junior College on Wednesday, Dec. 21. With just four days rest from their Zinkin Classic at Buchanan High School, six Mustangs earned championships at Wednesday’s event. Dustin Chavez (120), Jake Abeyta (126), Gabe Martinez (160), Abel Garcia, Bronson Harmon (170) and Colbey Harlan (182) all claimed championships that afternoon.

Chavez and Harlan were named Outstanding Wrestlers of the tournament.

“I think we wrestled well as a team and not just as individuals. Moving forward we have a long season ahead of us, but at the MJC tournament it was a good way to prepare us for the season,” Chavez said.

Taking second place and earning a medal was 195-pounder Luis Ayala and third place finisher was Ricky Torres at 138 pounds. Rounding out the team effort was Cody Golding in fourth, Elijah Bailey in fifth and Justin Jericoff, also in fifth place.

This week the boys boarded a flight to Canonsburg, Pennsylvania for the Powerade Tournament. Fifty teams from around the nation will be competing in the prestigious East Coast tournament. Oakdale will be the only school representing California.

“This is a good chance to display our talent to the nation. We have worked hard in the wrestling room and in tournaments so far this year. It will be great to get out there and get to work,” said Garcia about the long road trip.

The event begins today, Wednesday, Dec. 28. On Wednesday, Jan. 4 the boys host Central Catholic for the first Valley Oak League dual meet of the year at 6 p.m.