Colton wrestling overwhelms San Gorgonio in opening match 45-30
First victory of the season is highlighted by exciting wins by returning wrestlers and newcomers
Daniel Montes went the full three rounds against San G’s Uriel Ortega. Here the two grapple in the second round.
Colton, CA—After a strong showing last season, and featuring their largest team in years, Colton took to the wrestling mat in the Hubbs on Thursday to take on their league rival, San Gorgonio. With practiced communication and incredible team spirit, the team notched their first victory of the year, pinning the Spartans 45-30.
Although San Gorgonio was formidable, the sheer size of Yellowjackets team overwhelmed the Spartans, who forfeited several matches due to a lack of athletes. Plus, the maturation of Colton’s returning wrestlers, and the lessons learned after losing to San Gorgonio last January gave the Yellowjackets a solid game plan.
The most exciting match of the night was in the 145-lb. weight class as senior Daniel Montes and San Gorgonio’s Uriel Ortega went three hard fought, punishing rounds. Montes emerged the winner. “I felt like I was fighting out there,” Montes said, nursing a bag of ice on a sore wrist after the match.
Head coach Andrew Castro praised the first year wrestler. “For him to go out there and give so much heart and come away with the win shows massive improvement.”
Colton won their first match of the night as sophomore Daniel Vega pinned Spartan wrestler Eric Santoyo in the third round. “The guy was 20 pounds heavier, but it was a well fought match,” Vega said.
The teams went back and forth, pinning one another for the first four matches. The tie was broken by Cesar Loera when he squared off against Angel Nieblas.
Indomitable, Loera reversed his opponent from below and scored with a direct pin, all while tanking a takedown and near fall in the same period. Colton took the lead 18-12.
“He did good,” Loera said of his opponent. “He looked good, but sometimes somebody has to take his throne.”
San Gorgonio’s captain Anthony Green pinned Colton’s Alex Juarez in their first round, which put the Spartans back in the lead, but then San Gorgonio lost the lead on three consecutive forfeits. Colton was ahead 36-30 when Santino Zamora took to the mat to face Derrick Santoyo in the 220-lb. match.
Zamora took down Santoyo quickly, but it took 28 seconds to get the pin, securing his first victory of the season and the Yellowjackets’. “Once he took the shot I sprawled and it was the world’s longest pin,” Zamora said.
The Yellowjackets are now 1-0 on the season. They will compete in the Blackwatch wrestling tournament at Upland High from Dec. 26-28. Their next league match is against Carter High School on Jan. 5 at the Hubbs. Match starts at 5:00 p.m.
Results
JV boys victory over San Gorgonio, 6-0
195 weight class
Daniel Vega (CHS) defeats Eric Santoyo (SGHS) by decision
Varsity boys victory over San Gorgonio, 45-30
113 weight class
Elias Velasquez (CHS) defeated by Reggie Fernandez (SG) by 1st round pin
120 weight class
Aiden Arroyo (CHS) defeats Mario Meza (SG) by 1st round pin
126 weight class
Adrian Colunga (CHS) defeated by Richard Garcia (SG) by 1st round pin
132 weight class
Jose Ramirez (CHS) defeats Jairo Silva-Torres (SG) by 1st round pin
138 weight class
Cesar Loera (CHS) defeats Angel Nieblas (SG) by 1st round pin
145 weight class
Daniel Montes (CHS) defeats Uriel Ortega (SG) by decision
152 weight class
Ashton Russell (CHS) defeated by Sergio Campos (SG) by 1st round pin
160 weight class
Alex Juarez (CHS) defeated by Anthony Green (SG) by 1st round pin
170 weight class
Jonathon Hernandez (CHS) wins by forfeit
182 weight class
Abeal Sanchez (CHS) wins by forfeit
195 weight class
Elijah Juarez (CHS) defeated by Jonathan Rodriguez (SG) by 1st round pin
220 weight class
Santino Zamorra (CHS) defeats Derrick Santoyo (SG) by 1st round pin
285 weight class
Ricardo Ochoa (CHS) wins by forfeit
Recently, the CHS Publications Department experienced a major theft as over $20,000 in photography equipment was stolen from our studio over Spring Break. This included all cameras. Any amount you donate will help rebuild our program. Thank you!
Tyler Morales is a sophomore attending Colton High School. He writes for the Pepper Bough and involves himself around different activities at the school....