Grapplin' Grizzlies win 3rd straight

Granite Hills extended its EYL win streak to three with a 46-28 win over Delano at home, Wednesday.

The Grizzlies got on the board quick in the opening match at 145 pounds when James Capps turned a reversal into a pin early in the second period.

Next it was Senior Hector Vargas’ turn to extend the Grizzlies lead to 9-0. Vargas led 5-0, but was reversed to his back in the closing seconds of the match sending it to overtime. Vargas was able to fend off a double leg attempt and spin behind his Tiger opponent for two points and the sudden victory.

Tyler Jones led early at 160 pounds with the opening takedown, but was pinned in the third period.

Delano’s Greg Castro defeated Granite’s Raul Mata at 171 pounds by a technical fall, giving their first lead of the night 11-9.

It would be quickly erased, however, by Granite’s freshman 189-pounder Danny Jacuinde’s third-period dismissal of the Tigers’ Jacob Arjona by fall at the 5:04 mark.

Jeremy Miller’s pin of Delano’s David Aritia at 215 would extend Granite’s lead to 21-11. Delano’s Mickey Mejia’s dominance over Armando Gamboa forced Granite to relinquish their lead and put the Tigers ahead 22-21.

Grizzlies senior captain Chris Sides had to settle for a decision that would pull his team within four. Granite’s Roberto Hernandez would take a 16-8 decision while Granite newcomer Phillip Cortez would score a much needed pin, putting the Grizzlies back on top 34-28.

Finally it was Granite sophomore Martin Ayala that would put the cherry on top of the Grizzlies’ sundae with a dominating pin in the second period.

The Grapplin’ Grizzlies move to 8-3 on the year (3-1 EYL) while the JV fell to 8-2 overall and 2-2 in EYL competition.