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Local wrestlers find state and national success during club circuit
Vasky Bros Wrestling
Local wrestlers competing with Vaksy Bros Wrestling and Turlock Wrestling Club saw success recently at their respective regional and national tournaments (Photo contributed).

The end of winter doesn’t mean local wrestlers are leaving the mats. The last two months marked the beginning of the offseason, where grapplers are competing across the state and nation.

Just last week, Pitman High senior Mason Ontiveros brushed off his third-place finish at the CIF State Championships with a national title. Competing with Vaksy Bros Wrestling at the National High School Coach Association Nationals in Virginia Beach, the 175-pounder cruised to an 18-0 technical fall in the championship clash on March 29. Also placing were Pride teammates Carter Vannest (4) and Isaac Padilla (8), as well as Vasky Bros middle schooler Preston Dacoco (8).

At the California USA Wrestling (CAUSAW) USA Folkstyle State Championships at Fresno’s Selland Arena, the Turlock Wrestling Club had a Girls 8U/10U runner-up finish in Vannesa Esprio, as well as fifth-place finishes from Rehtt Olson and Brooklynn Teixeira, sixth-place results from Anthony Peyour and RJ Gonzalez and a seventh-placer in Michael Guiang.

At the CAUSAW high school level, the Vasky Bros saw Jack Ceja (4), Bryce Dacoco (2), Sophia Dacoco (4) and Titus Silveria (8) place. Elementary and middle school placers for the Vasky Bros included first-place Preston Dacoco (1st), Marcus Figueroa (4), Raul Gonzalez (6) and Logan Pierce (8).

The weekend also saw members of Vasky Bros compete at the 2026 USA Wrestling 16U and Junior Folkstyle National Championship held in West Des Moines, Iowa. Bryce Dacoco (2, 16U), and Sophia Dacoco (3, 16U Girls) placed at the national tournament.

March 21-22 had all levels competing at Clovis East High School in the State of California Wrestling Association for Youth (SCWAY) Kids State Championships and NorCal High School State Tournament.

Each of the local clubs left Clovis with champions. For the Vasky Bros, it was the trio of Patricia Bray, Jack Ceja, Bryce Daccoco and Marcus Figueroa. Turlock Wrestling Club celebrated a title from Emilia Montes.

Other placers for Turlock Wrestling were Juan Esprio (2), Cole Cronan, Harper Neal and Brooklynn Teixeira (3), Michael Guiang and RJ Gonzalez (4), Olivia Neal, Levi Oates and Kylee Cronan (5), Lucas Castillo and Shay Govea (7) and Bobby Paiz and Mattius Gonzalez (8).

Vasky Bros high school placers also included Conner Houdek and Alexis Rivas (3), Ailey Gray and Javy Gray (4), Ryder Munoz (5), Chloe Perales (7) and Ethan Lopez (8). Elementary and middle school placer were runner-ups Andrew Cruz, Emily Pires, Mazie Johnson, Preston Daccoco and Sophia Daccoco, third placers Michael Ledezma and Francisco Magana, Jozie Johnson (4), fifth-place finishers Raul Gonzalez, Marcus Martinez, Ayden Cruz and Cayson Melo, Mason Muirbrook (6) and Leona Deleon (7).