Porterville schools dominate EYL wrestling tournament

There must be something in the city’s water.

Whatever the mysterious ingredient is, it’s developing some serious wrestling skills in Porterville as all three high schools swept the top three spots in Saturday’s EYL wrestling tournament at Tulare Union.

The Panthers continued their storied season by taking first place with a total of 205.5 points. Monache finished second (156 points), followed by Granite Hills with 130.

Porterville dominated the lower weight divisions, as attested by Shane Yacuta’s first-place finish in the 130-pound class and Tournament MVP of the lower weight classes. Yacuta pinned Tulare Union’s Richard Ortiz at the 2:32 mark.

Four other Panthers garnered first-place finishes, including Martin Sandoval (103 pounds), Kevin Esquivel (112 pounds), Michael Ruiz (119 pounds) and David Ali (189 pounds).

Monache was close behind with four first-place finishes. Joseph Ramirez (125 pounds), James Reneau (145 pounds), Pablo Martinez (160 pounds) and Jesus Lupericio (171 pounds) helped to control some of the heavyweight divisions.

The Marauders’ Nick O’Neal (second in the 285-pound class) and Nick Isla (third in 119) helped contribute to the second-place point total.

While the Grizzlies had just one first-place finisher — 140-pound Hector Vargas — they made up for it with a bevy of other top-placed finishes. Granite had three second-place finishers: Roberto Hernandez (125 pounds), Gabriel Hernandez (145 pounds) and Raul Mata (160 pounds). Basilio Arroyo (112 pounds) and Jesus Ayon (130 pounds) each finished in third place.

The Panthers’ Tyler Henry finished second in 140 pounds and Kevin Hulse finished second in 215 pounds. But Joseph Duran had the toughest task of the afternoon by facing Tulare Western’s Chino Williams for the top finish in the 135-pound division.

Duran fought valiantly against the fourth-ranked Williams but eventually fell 16-4.

EYL Tournament Results

Team scores:

Porterville 205.5

Monache 156

Granite Hills 130

Tulare Western 128.5

Cesar Chavez 98

Tulare Union 92

Delano 80

Overall:

Porterville 1st

Monache 2nd

Granite Hills 3rd

Tulare Western 3rd

Cesar Chavez 5th

Delano 6th

Tulare Union 7th

Top finishers:

103: Martine Sandoval (P) p. Micky Mejia (D) :38

3 Sean Williams (TW)

4 Seth Hood (M)

5 Alex Reed (CC)

112: Kevin Esquivel (P) d. Mitchell Mejia (D) 10-2

3 Basilo Arroyo (GH)

4 Rudy Sandoval (CC)

5 Kevin Vaughn (M)

119: Michael Ruiz (P) p. Matt Enriquez (TU) 5:21

3 Nick Isla (M)

4 Mario Mendoza (CC)

5 Oscar Campos (GH)

125: Joseph Ramirez (M) d. Roberto Hernandez (GH) 10-0

3 Beau Gonzales (TU)

4 Zach Martinez (P)

5 Mario Salazar (TW)

130: Shane Yacuta (P) p. Richard Ortiz (TU) 2:32

3 Jesus Ayon (GH)

4 Joseph Ryan (M)

5 Larry Espina (TW)

135: Chino Williams (TW) d. Joseph Duran (P) 16-4

3 Bradley Paul (M)

4 Gabriel Jimenez (TU)

5 Martin Ayala (GH)

140: Hector Vargas (GH) p. Tyler Henry (P) 5:32

3 Mauricio Moreno (M)

4 Felice Manzano (CC)

5 Cole Davis (M)

145: James Reneau (M) d. Gabriel Hernandez (GH) 10-8

3 Eduardo Cardenas (P)

4 Micah Holley (TW)

5 Pete Nobel (D)

152: Ryan Robles (D) d. Jacob Macedo (TW) 7-4

3 Rodrigo Alvarado (P)

4 Ronald Keas (CC)

5 Tyler Jones (GH)

160: Pablo Martinez (M) d. Raul Mata (GH) 4-3

3 Andrew Rodriguez (D)

4 Martin Martinez (TW)

5 Blake Colsen (TU)

171: Jesus Lupericio (M) p. Jesus Cerda (CC) 2:43

3 Danny Jacuinde (GH)

4 Issac Gonzales (P)

5 Demari Harris (TU)

189: David Ali (P) d. Mario Walle (TW) 20-4

3 Eric Manueno (CC)

4 Tony Parra (GH)

215: Noel Gomez (CC) d. Kevin Hulse (P) 7-3

3 David Avita (D)

4 Rodrigo Alcantar (M)

5 Artemio Rodriguez (TW)

285: Paul Perez (TU) p. Nick O'Neal (M)

3 Clayton Cohen (P)

4 Reno Sanders (TW)

Upper weight MVP: Perez

Lower weight MVP: Yacuta

Overall MVP: Williams

Coach of the year: Tim Vanni, Porterville