After competing in the tough Bulldog Classic this past weekend, the Hilmar High varsity wrestling team returned for action in a dual matchup against the smaller Modesto Christian squad on Wednesday night.
There were only a total of six matches due to the limited number of participants for the Crusaders who cruised into Hilmar to face the young Yellowjackets in a Trans Valley League bout. It was a dominated meet for the ‘Jackets who tallied six wins by forfeit along with three wins by pin and they barreled over MC by a score of 54-24.
“I was real happy with our younger kids — our freshman and sophomores — they were the ones who did most of the wrestling except for one senior. I was very pleased with that, I feel they all did well,” Hilmar head coach Bruce Scott said.
In his first year, Hilmar freshman Wyatt Amaral at the 120-pound class was not only feeling ill but also competing in only his fifth match at the varsity level as he gave it all he could against a stout Christian Applegate.
The match became the most bloodiest of them all as there were four official timeouts due to the massive bloody noses that Amaral suffered but he still held his ground till the end and lost by decision.
“Well I hope if they can win and learn to improve as well that’s double the points,” Scott said. “I just hope they understand that they have a lot left to do and learn but they are getting better.”
Shane Desalles — who is also a freshman — put on a show at the 132-pound category, but unfortunately fell to Nicholas Shamp in a 5-3 decision after Shamp’s strength proved to be a critical factor into the win.
“I only have two seniors on my entire varsity squad. As a freshman wrestler trying to take on sophomores or older kids it makes it that much tougher because they have not fully developed physically and makes it a little difficult,” Scott said.
“If they do the moves that we teach them in practice then it will help them be more successful in matches that’s basically the bottom line is that we hope to use what we learn.”
“If we can just iron out the mistakes and take baby steps, we will be good.”
At the 126-pound class, Chase Betschart pinned down Christian Twist in the final period with only second’s left to-go.
In a very tough even match at the 160-pound class, Hilmar freshman Cody Rentfro was able to pin Antonio Gurrola with just over a minute left in the third period.
Unfortunately for MC their low number resulted in a team loss, however, Elijah Juvera at the heavyweight 285-pound class pinned Hilmar’s Austin Turpin just 30 seconds into the final period.
“I know we got the three toughest opponents coming up in Ripon, Escalon and Hughson and those are our toughest opponents and we get ready by just doing what we’re doing,” Scott said. “Were going to keep practicing and hope to make the little changes in our technique that could make a difference, but we will try and give it everything we have.”
League will resume for the ‘Jackets as next up will be a rough matchup as they will travel to Escalon as the match is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22.
