Turlock High’s success on the mat continued at the Masters Tournament this past Thursday and Friday. The Bulldogs finished in fifth place as a team and had five wrestlers earn medals, four of which will continue on to the State Tournament next weekend.

Senior Erick Parsons finished in third place, juniors Jason Valdovinos and Ernesto Guiang finished in fourth place, freshman Isaac Bertalotto finished in seventh place and sophomore Rafael Herrera finished in eighth place, one match away from qualifying for state.

Valdovinos’ and Bertalotto’s performances were especially impressive. Valdovinos won six straight matches after losing his opening match to earn his fourth place finish, and Bertalotto’s seventh place finish makes him only the third freshman in Turlock’s history to qualify for state.

Pitman High’s outing didn’t go as planned. Freshman Hayden Mattox and senior Kyle Martinez finished the tournament 2-2 and sophomore Logan Wolfley finished 1-2. Martinez’ performance was hampered by a pre-existing leg injury that affected his mobility.

Hilmar High entered the Masters Tournament with four wrestlers and walked away with one medalist. Sophomore Anthony Melo place eighth, becoming the first sophomore Yellowjacket to place in school history and earning the first Hilmar section medal since 1993. Senior Tyler Juncker narrowly missed a medal with a ninth place finish.

The State Tournament takes place Thursday and Friday in Bakersfield.