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Pitman's Velasquez takes first at Divisionals
Bulldogs, Pride send 15 wrestlers to Master's
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Pitmans Adam Velasquez (pictured here at an earlier meet) defeated sophomore Michael Mello of Oak Ridge, 5-3, in the championship round of the Sac-Joaquin Divisional tournament this past weekend. - photo by Journal file photo

While a number of Turlock and Pitman high varsity wrestlers did well at the Sac-Joaquin Divisional tournament held at Lincoln High in Stockton this past weekend, only one local athlete came home a champion — the Pride's Adam Velasquez (120).

Velasquez had a first round bye then followed it with a 10-3 victory decision over Nevada Union's Keaton Richards and a 7-3 win over Teague Dilbeck of Granite Bay to send him into the championship match.

Velasquez, who is a junior, defeated sophomore Michael Mello of Oak Ridge, 5-3, in the championship round to give the Pride a first place result.

“It was also nice to have the only wrestler from the CCC to be a champion in Adam Velasquez,” said Pitman head coach Adam Vasconcellos.

By the end of the day, seven Pitman wrestlers qualified to go on to Master's. Turlock will be sending eight athletes, making a total of 15 local wrestlers going onto the next level of competition.

“The boys wrestled well, but obviously we would have liked to qualify a couple more. It is probably the toughest divisional we have been a part of,” said Vasconcellos.

Turlock had three guys place third in Brady Egleston (138), Andy Orozco (152) and Breck Jeffus (195).

Michael Marquez (113) placed eighth, Gio Villegas (106) took seventh, Alex Olivera (126) finished in sixth, Uriel Villasenor (160) took fifth and Michael Jeffus finished in fourth. As a team, Turlock finished ninth.

“I am very proud of the kids and all the hard work, hopefully, they can keep doing well,” said Turlock head coach Anthony Gonzalez.

Pitman's Isaiah Perez (138) placed second after a close match in the championship bout against Jack Ramalia of Granite Bay that ended in a 3-1 unanimous decision.

“Isaiah wrestled the number two guy in Master's and took him to the wire. That gives him confidence for next week that's for sure,” said Vasconcellos.

Trevor Mattox (126) took fourth, Arthur Clemens (145) placed sixth, Julian Barrera (285) finished in fifth, Diego Basulto (170) and Branden Tallent (195) both finished in seventh.

“It was a good bounce back from last week finishing behind Turlock, so it was a good weekend overall,” Vasconcellos added.

The Master's Meet will be a two-day event and will be held at the Stockton Arena beginning at 9 a.m. Friday and concluding on Saturday afternoon.