Oakdale wrestlers continue to shine this postseason. This past weekend the boys headed to compete in the 2017 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D-III Divisionals at Vista del Lago High School. The Mustangs produced seven first place finishers, along with two second and two third place finishers to win the tournament.
Dustin Chavez (120), Jake Abeyta (126), Ricky Torres (132) Jake Ryan (145), Gabe Martinez (152) Abel Garcia (170) and Colbey Harlan (182) all claimed first place medals in the tournament.
Chavez started the tournament with a first round bye and the sophomore cruised to the finals following a pin fall victory and a 2-0 nailbiter. In the finals Chavez defeated Richard Delapaz of Central Catholic by a 3-1 decision.
Senior Abeyta earned a first round bye and rattled off two pin victories to advance to the finals. Abeyta defeated home crowd favorite Grant Leon of Vista del Lago 2-0 to become champion.
Like his teammates, Torres earned a first round bye and dominated the rest of the way. The sophomore and State medalist Torres wrestled his way to first place following three pin victories. Torres defeated Sierra’s Branden Rullan in the finals in the second period via pin.
Junior Ryan earned his medal and status as best 145-pound wrestler in the section. Ryan earned a first period fall and won by major decision in the semifinals to advance to the finals. He defeated Christian Dominquez of Central Catholic 3-2 in the finals.
Martinez put on a wrestling clinic in his quest to the finals. The sophomore scored a trio of pin fall victories to become the 152-pound champion. Martinez defeated Vista del Lago’s Noah Johnson in the finals via pin in the second period.
A well-rested Garcia went 3-0 to earn his medal. Following a first round bye, Garcia made short work of his second round opponent by defeating him in the first period via pin fall. He then pinned his semifinals opponent in the second period to earn his spot in the finals. Garcia defeated Yuba City’s Isaac Silias in the finals capping off his day.
Junior Harlan blitzed his way to a medal on Saturday. His impressive day was a quick one, as he spent just a total of three minutes and 13 seconds total on the mats. The State hopeful Harlan won his first round match in 56 seconds, his semifinals in just over one minute and defeated Robert Vela of Vista del Lago in 1:11 in the first period.
Taking second place honors for Oakdale were junior Bronson Harmon and senior Luis Ayala. Third place honors went to Jorge Barajas and Matt Kjeldgaard. As a team Oakdale took first place with a total of 270 points. Second place Vista del Lago scored 200 team points.
Oakdale’s Faalia Martinez took third place in the SJS Girls Masters and will compete in the CIF Girls State Championships in Visalia this weekend.
Friday, meanwhile, is day one of the 2017 Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Meet at Stockton Arena. Wrestling action begins at 9 a.m. and concludes on Saturday evening.
