Turlock High dropped its second dual meet in as many weeks against Golden Valley High Wednesday night, 46-25, effectively ending its chances at a 2014 Central California Conference championship.
The Bulldogs, a week removed from its first dual loss of the season at the hands of rival Pitman High, needed a win against the Cougars in order to stay in contention for a co-championship. Now, Turlock will be solely focused on the individual success of its wrestlers in the post-season as Pitman and Golden Valley battle for the league title during next Friday’s CCC tournament.
“Everybody’s a little frustrated,” head coach Mike Contreras said. “It’s just one of those things. Some years you got it and some years you don’t.”
Turlock entered the matchup without two starters, Isaac Bertalotto and Rico McCombs, but it was its inexperience in the upper weight classes that really hurt their chances at victory. Trailing from the onset of the dual, the Bulldogs dropped three of their final four matches — 182 through 285 — to seal the loss.
“My bigger guys don’t have any varsity experience except for this year and that’s really come back to haunt us,” Contreras said.
Of the 14 matches Turlock won only five — Brady Egleston (120) via 6-5 decision, Rafael Herrera (132) via pin, Andres Orozco (152) via default, Albino Orozco (170) via major decision, and Albert Gonzalez (HWY) via pin.
Golden Valley earned six pins and a major decision.
“You’re not going to win dual meets like that,” Contreras said.
Turlock will now focus on performing well at the CCC tournament before divisional the following week.
“We’re just working out, we have six practices left, and getting ready for the league tournament,” Contreras said.