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Pitman, Turlock wrestlers shine in DI tourney
Turlock wrestling pic1
Turlock Highs Albino Orozco takes down an opponent during Fridays first day of the Division I tournament. Orozco is currently 2-0 in the 172-weight class going into Saturdays semifinal match. - photo by Photo Contributed

Pitman and Turlock High brought in a total of 25 wrestlers to Franklin High in Elk Grove on Friday to compete in the Division I Sac Joaquin Section tournament.

After Friday night’s rumble on the mat, the ‘Dogs will be sending seven on to masters, while the Pride have eight moving on to next week’s tournament.

Pitman has a total of five wrestlers moving on to the semifinals in today's tournament, Hayden Mattox (122), Nick Valadez (134), Gilbert Valadez (140), Logan Wolfley (160) and Nick Roditis (222).

“All these kids could go to State and earn some medals there,” Pitman head coach Adam Vasconcellos said. “Top eight move on to masters.”

Three seniors for the Bulldogs are still undefeated at 2-0 in the tournament moving on today — Rafael Herrera (128), Albino Orozco (172) and Albert Gonzalez (HWY).

“I am definitely happy with our performance. I feel our semifinalists can make the finals so it will be a boost in team standings,” Turlock head coach Mike Contreras said.

While three are undefeated for the ‘Dogs, there will be four wrestlers with a 2-1 record that will be competing in the consolation bracket but an opportunity to finish in third place if they win out.

Turlock’s Brady Egelston (115), Fabian Gaona (134), Sean Souza (140) and Andres Orozco (145) all will be moving on to the consolation bracket in their respective weight divisions.

“I am very happy with our performance and I can’t complain at all; overall it is pretty good for us and we don’t even have our best wrestler in Bertalotto,” Contreras said.

The Pride has two wrestlers with a 2-1 record and they are Quentin Hernandez (152) and Eric Bejaran (HWY), who will be moving on to the consolation bracket.

There are also three alternate wrestlers who are still alive  but wait to see if they are needed to be substituted in an event that the other wrestler may not be able contend due to not making weight or sustaining an injury.

Pitman’s Jagjit Johal (197), Trevor Mattox (106) and Christian Clementi (145) are waiting as alternates for their names to be called.

Day two of the Sac Joaquin Section Division I tournament begins today at 11 a.m.