After a tough Sac-Joaquin Section Divisional Tournament that included highs and lows, a total of 23 will advance to the Master’s Meet this upcoming weekend with representatives from Turlock, Pitman and Hilmar high schools.

Pitman had a program-best 13 qualifiers, while Turlock advances nine and Hilmar moves one forward.

“We won the league tournament and then took second in the toughest divisional in the section,” said Pitman head coach Adam Vasconcellos. “I’m proud of the fight that our kids have. I didn’t know if we would ever match last year’s record of 12 to masters, and we were somehow able to get 13 this year.”

In the Divisionals D-I AA Tournament from Folsom High, Turlock and Pitman excelled, placing in the top four as a team. Pitman finished in second with 191 points and Turlock placed fourth with 157 points, respectively.

“We qualified nine and five made the semifinals,” said Turlock head coach Mike Contreras. “Our focus is on having good practices every day. Eating right, training right, sleeping right, believing in ourselves and trying to advance nine.”

At 108-pounds, Will Giron of Turlock captured first place along with heavyweight Mike Jeffus who won via fall in the title match.

Isaiah Perez (222) placed first in his bracket after winning his final match via fall.

Five of the Pride wrestlers advanced to the finals this past weekend including Sammy Silveira (134), Kendall La Rosa (147), Brendan Tallent (197) and Carlos Martinez (HWY), who each finished in second place.

Jaron Azevedo (184), Nolan Lok (140) and Jesus Padilla (172) placed fourth for the Pride. Logan Rabenberg (122) and Cesar Tellez (128) placed fifth. Trey Peacock (108) placed sixth. Tony Olide (154) took seventh. Mark Jiminez (115) took eighth. 

For the Turlock Bulldogs, Breck Jeffus (184) placed second his bracket after falling in the final, 2-1. Adrian Heras (122) also took second in his bracket.

Gio Villegas (115) placed fourth, while Manny Conde (134), Joe Silva (140) and Lance Couchman (162) each placed fifth. Diego Cornejo (147) finished in seventh for Turlock.

In the Division-V tournament, Hilmar’s Wyatt Carter (134) placed second as a junior.

The Master’s will run for two days from Stockton Arena beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday.

Bulldog’s Ward only girl to advance to CIF State

Hailey Ward (101) of Turlock High will be advancing to her second straight CIF State Wrestling Tournament after she won the Master’s Tournament this past weekend from McNair High in Stockton.

Ward is currently ranked No. 2 in California