With multiple tournaments in the area, Oakdale’s wrestling team divided up and some Mustangs went to Escalon High School for the Lloyd C. Engel Invitational on both Friday and Saturday, Jan. 8 and 9. Others from the defending seven-time Sac-Joaquin Section champions went to Clovis for the Doc Buchanan Invitational.
Making his presence felt in Clovis was Senior Trevor Williams. Currently ranked tenth in the state in the 132 pound division, Williams earned fourth place over the weekend. He drew a bye in the first round and defeated Lokahi Tonge of Elk Grove 13-2 in the second round. Williams’ run at the Buchanan Invite came to a close when he battled top seeded Durbin Lloren of Buchanan. Williams battled it out to the finish and was outwrestled 3-0 in the hard fought contest. Lloren went on to win the bracket and is currently ranked number one in the state at 132 pounds.
Other Mustang participants included Dustin Chavez (106), Cody Williams (120) and Rickey Torres (126). Chavez fell in his first match against Elijah Palacio of Calvary Chapel Santa Ana. In the consolation bracket, Chavez defeated Maro Moreno of Madera 7-3. His weekend came to a close with a loss to Brandon Paulson of Clovis 5-3. Cody Williams earned a first round bye, but was defeated 7-1 by Oxnard’s Jeremy Trinh the following round. Williams was eliminated by David Ortega of Victory Valley in the consolation round. Like his teammates, Torres also earned a first round bye, and took a second round exit. Torres fell to Dayton Marvel of Pomona, and then lost to Elijah Diaz of Montclair in his first round of the consolation bracket.
In Escalon, wrestlers from 35 schools invaded the two gyms on campus and Oakdale’s Gabe Martinez (147), Bronson Harmon (154) and Colbey Harlan (172) all took first place in their respective brackets. Heavyweight Matt Kjeldgaard finished second.
This week, Oakdale will take on Kimball and Sierra at Sierra High School for a Valley Oak League dual meet, the event is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Oakdale’s first dual meet of the season will be Wednesday, Jan. 20 when they welcome Weston Ranch and East Union to town.
