Hilmar High hosted its third annual Hilmar Lions Tournament on Saturday and welcomed five wrestling teams from the surrounding area to compete in the recently revamped tournament.
The Yellowjackets ended the day with a fifth place team finish but also managed to medal two individual wrestlers as Cody Rentrfro took first in the 170/182 pound bracket and Freddy Delgadillo placed second in the 138 pound bracket.
Rentfro’s performance on Saturday marked his third tournament championship of the year. The ‘Jacket grappler pinned all five of his opponents in route to his first place finish to maintain his status as Hilmar’s leader on the mat. His season record currently sits at 19-1.
“He was definitely one of the favorites to win,” Hilmar head coach Bruce Scott said. “I knew he’d be in the running and he just went ahead and did his job.”
Delgadillo’s second place finish at 138 pounds was less than expected, however, as it was his first time wrestling at that weight class. Despite competing at a new, lower weight, Delgadillo dispatched his first four opponents with a pair of pins, a major decision and a technical fall before losing to Matt Profeta of Waterford High in the finals, 0-7.
Delgadillo is expected to continue competing at 138 pounds through the rest of the year.
“I wasn’t sure how everything was going to work out but it was fine. He wrestled real well and just lost to one good kid,” Scott said. “I think he’s getting better and improving. So I’m real pleased.”
Hilmar followed its success at its home tournament with a Tuesday night dual against Mariposa High, which was also present at Saturday’s tournament and placed second as a team. Entering the dual without their top three wrestlers — Rentfro, Delgadillo and Wyatt Amaral, who were all injured in practice on Monday—the Yellowjackets were crushed by the Grizzlies, 74-0.
Hilmar's next dual will be held on the road with a Trans Valley League match up with Riverbank High today.