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Grapplers Gain Experience At Buchanan Invitational
OHS WRESTLING - NICO COLUNGA
Oakdales lone placer in the Doc Buchanan was Nico Colunga, who battled to an eighth place finish at the prestigious meet in Clovis. The Mustangs will be back in action at tournaments this weekend, including the Engel tourney in Escalon. - photo by Charise Reeves

A Saturday trip to Clovis saw some solid efforts for local grapplers.

Eight Oakdale wrestlers competed this weekend in the prestigious Doc Buchanan Invitational at Clovis High School.

“Three wrestlers, Tanner Reeves, Abel Garcia, and Nico Colunga, qualified for the second day of competition,” explained Oakdale coach Steve Strange. “Frank Trent and Logan Eaton also competed and were both 2-2.”

Colunga was Oakdale’s top competitor, finishing in eighth place in the tournament.

“There were 96 teams that competed with 27 of them being ranked in the top 40 teams in California and several highly ranked out of state teams,” added Strange. “Overall we wrestled hard and competed well against the best competition California has to offer. With the work ethic they have shown so far, we should have a strong second half of the season.”

This week, Oakdale hosts Sierra and East Union on Wednesday, Jan. 8 starting at 4 p.m.

“Our varsity team will be competing at the Lloyd Engel Tournament, which will be Friday and Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at Escalon High School,” Strange said, noting it’s another good test for the Mustangs. “This tournament will field 45 of the best teams from northern California.”

Oakdale will also be sending its Varsity ‘B’ and JV teams to the Gordon Hay Invitational at Calaveras High School on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m.